Merge

If you drive then you’re hopefully familiar with this:

 “Left lane ends merge right.”  

A lane merger is a traffic pattern that can flow really easily, especially in light traffic, but when there are many vehicles, a “merger” can quickly turn the interstate into a parking lot.

When traffic is stalled at a lane merger, it can be due to several things like road maintenance, accidents, etc.  Many times traffic at such a delay is perpetuated much longer than necessary because drivers don’t always “flow” well together.  

You can be sitting there with a clear left lane all the way up to the merger.  You and all the cars in front of you are slowly moving forward, then—not surprisingly—one car comes flying by you in that left lane.  Glancing in your mirror you’ll see another car behind you make a break for it…then another…and just like that everyone, and all progress, stops.  

Those impatient folks in a rush may be a little further ahead but there is arguably no real advantage gained by passing in a diminishing lane.  In the end their selfishness puts everyone further behind on their way to their destinations.

The greatest good for all is God’s Kingdom realized…”on earth as it is in Heaven.”  I heard a line recently in a sermon that service to others is “baked into our baptism.”  The greater good for all, putting others before ourselves, beyond our own selfishness, is a theme that echoes throughout Jesus’ teaching.  Paul writes:

“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:4‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Several years ago I was cruising down the interstate and a semi-truck was blocking both lanes!  I was instantly frustrated with that driver and then I realized what he was doing…I saw the sign…“left lane ends.”  

We all need to be better about cooperating when lanes merge. We all need to put the greatest good beyond our own selfish desires. When you encounter those “trucks” trying to resolve the chaos, don’t get frustrated. Let it instead be a reminder that we all have an important destination best reached by working together.