LightGrams
October 27, 2016
Volume 20, Number 34
“Driverless Vehicles”
Passing big rigs on Interstate highways is a common phenomenon. There are so many of those vehicles, you can’t drive ten miles without seeing several. Rarely do I notice the one who is driving the truck; even if I tried, they sit so much higher in the cab I don’t believe I’d be able to see them.
Had I made the effort to see the driver of the 18-wheeler rolling down I-25 in Colorado last week, I would have failed. There wasn’t a driver. For 120 miles, this rig, loaded with cases of beer, navigated traffic, curves, and hills with no one behind the steering wheel. There was a human on board, but his job was merely to monitor; he did nothing to steer, brake, or accelerate. Reportedly the trip was completed without a hitch.
Driverless vehicles are much in the news. Automaker Tesla is hard at work on such a car for the masses; other auto manufacturers are spending millions as they investigate the possibilities. The U.S. military also has placed orders for trucks and other vehicles that can be guided by sensors and satellites. Uniformed personnel can be removed from dangerous territories as supplies are delivered behind enemy lines.
I personally don’t foresee myself willingly purchasing a driverless vehicle. I enjoy the process of driving (usually). But there is no doubt that we’re going to see a lot more cars and trucks on the road without people operating them.
It was many years ago that I first saw the bumper sticker that says, “God is my co-pilot”. I appreciate the sentiment behind that, but I’ll take it a step farther: “God is my pilot”. He can guide my life without any assistance or suggestions on my part.
A good place to begin is Jeremiah 10:23: “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.” That goes against the proud esteem many have of their abilities; they think they’re more than capable of calling the shots for their lives. God? Who needs Him?!
Making the case for God as our pilot even more convincing is Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Yes, we men have earned that stereotype of refusing to ask for directions – and ending up hopelessly lost!
God knows our limitations, and has graciously offered His help: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).
How much better off are those who can quote from the heart, “The Lord is my Shepherd … He leads me …” (Psalm 23:1,2).
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2016, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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