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Commentary

Distracted Driving on the Road of Life

Tue, December 26, 2017   |   Author: Rod Taylor   |   Volume 24    Issue 52 | Share: Gab | Facebook | Twitter   

Ever since cellphones became commonplace, the public has become aware of the hazards of “distracted driving”. The convenience of being able to make or receive calls while driving brought with it the danger of losing one’s focus on the road, the actions of other drivers and unexpected obstacles. The statistical result was an increase in accidents, injuries and deaths. Although the driving public was aware of the trend, it took enforceable provincial laws to correct unsafe behaviour patterns.

Some provinces banned cellphone use while driving; others banned all handheld devices. Still others used very broad language, simply banning distracted driving itself, which could include reading, texting or even eating while driving, if judged to be a distraction. Of course, laws don’t always make people behave as they ought; they only provide incentives to do so.

In this week between our celebration of Christ’s birth and our launch into another new year, it occurred to me that all of us navigating the hazards and obstacles of this earthly life also face various distractions that can cause us to lose focus on our destination. For some, power, wealth, prestige and financial success can become powerful distractions that can cause them to take a wrong turn and keep them from achieving their destiny. For many in our society today, sex, drugs, alcohol, entertainment, sports and hobbies can so claim their attention that responsible work habits, character development, spiritual growth and involvement as citizens in the issues of the day all take a back seat. We in the pro-life movement—especially the political branch of that movement—know only too well how hard it is to get the attention of many of our friends and neighbours or to involve them in serious discussion about the hazards facing our society today. How much more would we be able to accomplish if all our fellow citizens had the same destination in mind and were focused on creating a society that protected life, honoured biblical family values and defended the freedoms we value!

Even we who are engaged in the political struggle to restore righteousness to our courts, our education systems and our communities must be careful to avoid distractions, which can come in many forms. There is so much “noise” out there, with fake news, celebrity cults, personality clashes, public interest stories, partisan wrangling and various strategic emphases; it’s easy to get lost in the chatter. Good people—all having the same goals and sharing the same values—can allow themselves to be distracted by partisanship or past hurts. We must move beyond those things, keep our eyes on the road ahead, be willing at times to yield to others and focus on the things that will make the world a better place for all. If we follow the biblical roadmap, pay attention to warning signs, set a good example for others to follow and avoid useless distractions, we can arrive safely at the end of our journey and without regrets.

Wishing each and every one of you safe driving on Canada’s streets and highways but more importantly on the road of life!



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