Persistent Pigeon

My love for Children's Literature is constantly getting me in trouble. My collection is much larger than it ought to be in order to be called respectable. However, today one of my books helped me relate to my study time. So I am going to hang onto my books and maybe even add a few more. (Did I really just say that?

"Don't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus," is a book about a pigeon who really wants to drive the bus. He tries all sorts of different tactics to convince the pigeon who the bus driver left in charge to let him drive the bus in the bus driver’s absence.

I hate to admit it, but I am that pigeon trying to drive the bus. No, I really have no aspirations of becoming a bus driver in my second act. Please, no!! But I do want to take the wheel of my life and be in charge. I want the things that I want, when I want them.

The Bible, in Luke 22, has a different recommendation for this persistent pigeon. When Jesus was in the garden praying before His crucifixion, He did ask His Father that if He was willing that "the cup" could be removed. But His prayer did not stop there. Jesus was keenly aware that He was the not the one who was supposed to be driving the bus. His Father in Heaven was the "Bus driver."

Jesus was doing the will of His Father who sent Him to earth always. His prayer did not end with His intense desire to be spared the cup of the wrath of God toward our sin. Jesus went on to say "Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done."

Perhaps it was alright for the pigeon to ask to drive the bus. I will cut him and myself a little slack there. God does tell us to continue to bring our needs and desires to Him in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances."

But perhaps the pigeon forgot his place. Perhaps the pigeon should have first of all recognized his own lack of skill in driving the bus. He was not prepared for such a task. Only the bus driver had the knowledge to drive the bus.

Just maybe, before asking to drive the bus, the pigeon should have realized that he was completely incapable of driving the bus on his own. It is not impossible to imagine that the bus driver could have eventually taught the pigeon the necessary skills needed. But the pigeon wasn't there yet.

It would have been much better, if he had let the Bus driver, take the wheel, he just going along for the ride.

"Father, drive my bus. Please teach me how to ride along and see where you are taking me."