PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

September 15, 2024

FLASHING YELLOW ARROWS

Thursday, September 5, I drove to South Bend from Plymouth for my scheduled check-up with my rheumatologist.  I took highway 31 and when I got to South Bend, I continued on Michigan.  At the corner of Michigan and Sample I turned right and proceeded to the South Bend Clinic.  When I first started taking Michigan when I moved to Plymouth in 2005, it was a one-way street north. Now it is two-way with bicycle lanes.  The stoplight at the corner of Chippawa and Michigan has been replaced with a roundabout.  Most of the stop lights have flashing yellow arrows.

All of the changes that have been made to Michigan have made my trips to South Bend easier.  I no longer have to wait for a light to change at Chippawa when there is not a car to be seen.  The flashing yellow arrows make it much easier to turn left.  When I turn right on Sample, I get in the left lane until I need to turn left at the South Bend Clinic.  I reverse the process going home.  It has been my experience that for the most part, over the last twenty years those in charge of our country’s roads have been

working to improve the quality of the driving experience.

Unfortunately, not all new rules, regulations, and ways of doing things are an improvement.  In fact, the exact opposite may be the case.  I have a theory that many government laws, rules, and regulations were enacted to deal with isolated issues.  Laws, rules, or regulations are passed in order to address an isolated problem and often have unattended consequences for the general population.  In the end the new regulations do more harm than good and cause all of us grief.  Fortunately, the changes to my journey were not in this category.

During His earthly ministry Jesus had an adversarial relationship with the Pharisees.  The whole of chapter 23 of Matthew is devoted to their denouncement as well as that of the Scribes.  In part He says, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat; therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach (oral law).  They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.  They do all their deeds to be seen by others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them.  They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long (Matthew 23:2-5).”

I have this image of the Pharisaic bureaucrats of government toiling in their office to create new, rules and regulations that are hard to bear and put them on the shoulders of the general population.  There are times in life when it seems almost impossible to get anything done because of all the hoops through which one needs to jump for permission to proceed.

Fortunately, on my trip to South Bend I was not hindered by Pharisaic obstacles.  I had a smooth, uneventful journey that was enhanced by a limited access highway, a roundabout, and a number of flashing yellow arrows.  God bless all those who made my trip easier.  Let us keep Pharisees out of government.

(Comments may be sent to davidh15503@embarqmail.com.)