When Do You Fasten Your Seatbelt?

Psalm 12:5 – I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him. (KJV)

Psalm 64:1 – Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy. (KJV)

When I enter my car, after closing the door, I immediately fasten my seatbelt. It is then that I start the engine and check my mirrors before pulling out. A family member, however, gets in, starts the car, checks the mirrors, drives off, and then fiddles around doing up the seatbelt, much to my dismay.

This in turn lent me the opportunity to observe when other drivers fasten their seatbelts. Some fasten them at stop lights or stop signs. Some juggle their seatbelt fastening by cranking their heads to hold their cellphones, with one hand on the steering wheel, while trying to fasten their belt with their other hand. Still others fasten their seatbelts only when a police cruiser is in sight; some, not at all.

Our four-year-old granddaughter is, and long has been, very vigilant about making sure the car doesn't move until all seatbelts are fastened — even going so far as to ask, "What are you thinking?" if someone doesn't do so right away.

Seatbelts are a safety tool. They offer a measure of protection. Even when we are securely strapped in, seatbelts do not guarantee that we will not ever be injured, or worse, face death, but they do offer a much better protection and a sense of having done all one can to protect oneself — as opposed to going without.

The seatbelt-fastening situation gave me pause to compare it to our spiritual relationship. When do we "fasten our seatbelt" to Him? Do we keep Christ in our lives at all times, or do we connect with Him only when we have been "stopped" for one reason or another? Do we try to "juggle" Him into our lives? Or, like those who only fasten their seatbelts under threat of being caught and fined, do we acknowledge Him only in the presence of those with whom we know it would put us in good stead?

Like the seatbelt that cannot guarantee to keep us absolutely free of harm, so too, God has not promised unequivocally that He will keep us safe in every situation. But He has promised that He is always with us, whatever route we take. And He has promised that in Him, we will find eternal life.

Prayer: Lord, help us and lead us to a life that keeps us closely and securely "fastened" to You. In Your name, we pray, and give thanks for this day. Amen.

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