Am I fuel-efficient? What exactly does that mean? And what’s this—“Carpool Only” parking spaces? Oooh, there we go…over there…no,wait…it says “Buses Only” and I’m not actually a bus, no matter how I may look in a swimsuit.
These were some thoughts running through my mind as I hunted for a parking spot on my first trip to the new Greenwood library. It is, by the way, a beautiful facility. I think I need to say that up front, before I start whining about the parking lot.
It was nearly 100 degrees outside when I went to the library—the kind of day that sends most of us scurrying from one air-conditioned haven to the next. I’m all for exercise and fresh air, but melting? Not so much. I wanted to park close to the door.
I pulled into the parking lot and first encountered the handicapped-only spots. No problem.
The next several spots were labeled “Carpool Only.” A friend of mine jokingly brings an inflatable man we’ve dubbed “Tom Selleck ” to some of our more casual women’s events at church. I’m thinking of ordering a Tom twin to ride with me to the library now. You know, so I can be a carpool.
After cruising by all the EMPTY carpool slots (hello?), I discovered that the next bunch of spaces were reserved for “fuel efficient vehicles.” I thought I’d been transported to Granola, California. My smallish Toyota SUV is hardly a gas-guzzling hoopty, but neither is it one of those little phone-booth cars that get a kazillion miles per gallon.
So, on I drove to the nether regions of the lot, my tailpipe dragging between my tires, ecologically shamed.
There were some certifiable gas hogs parked in the “Fuel Efficient Only” spots (think 1980-ish Lincoln Continental), but my inner compliant child wouldn’t allow me to park there. I was sure the “green police” were itching to bust someone like me. I didn’t want to incur the wrath of anyone with a Barney Fife complex and one eco-friendly bullet in his or her shirt pocket.
I don’t like being bullied about my transportation choices, but my biggest beef (if you’ll pardon the politically incorrect red-meat reference) is this: Please don’t require me to be fuel efficient if you don’t define fuel efficiency. It’s subjective and frustrating.
Let’s face it—laws in this country appear likely to grow ever more intrusive, confusing and nonsensical (to wit, the legislative broo-ha-ha about light bulbs…don’t even get me started on that).
But, you know what? It all makes me incredibly thankful that God’s standards are not like man’s. His are clear and wise.
Humans have relentlessly tried to muddy up the simple answer to the question, “How good is good enough?” regarding entrance into God’s favor and His heaven, but we’re the ones who complicate it, not Him.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” (John 14:6)
Seems pretty clear.
It’s not about keeping hundreds of complicated Old Testament laws anymore. Jesus fulfilled those and became the way into a personal, eternal, saving relationship with God.
I may have to park in Outer Mongolia when I visit the library, but I don’t have to navigate a maze of rules to get near God. I’ve been set free by the love and grace of Jesus Christ to park as close to His heart as my faith will take me.
And the most amazing thing? That’s where He wants us—close.