Depravity in a Parking Lot

May 6, 2008

Joe,

The other day I stopped at the Grocery Store to pick up something for Michelle, and as I parked I saw a silver Volkswagen Buggy (Silver, don’t worry Gino!) parked right in between two parking spaces, as if the person was concerned that someone might come close to scraping his precious vehicle. So he took up two spaces, ensuring that nobody could get close to his car. I trust you have seen this at some point in your life.

Few things irritate me more than this. And I thought to myself, this is a great picture of depravity. What screams, ‘It’s all about me’ more than taking up two parking spaces and being indifferent to someone else having to walk farther?

Then I thought of something that irritated me even more: a self-righteous Pharisee who regards himself as morally superior to another because he parks in between the lines. And of course, I was that Pharisee.

It’s amazing how God uses the sins of other people to expose the lingering sin in my own heart. But praise God, every revelation of my sin is another reminder of the glorious revelation of God’s saving mercy in Jesus, who died for self-absorbed Volkswagen owners and for self-righteous Pharisees who park where they’re supposed to.

Larry

Posted by Larry | Filed Under Random Musings, Seeking Him 

Comments

2 Responses to “Depravity in a Parking Lot”

  1. Gino on May 6th, 2008 4:42 pm

    “(Silver, don’t worry Gino!)”

    No worries Larry. I am Pharisee parked in between the lines next to you brother.

    Thanks for being so transparent. That post was a good reminder and encouragement to me.

  2. Will on May 6th, 2008 7:16 pm

    Larry,

    Thank you for this example. How wonderful that such a moment of realization of sin was first used to remind you of the gospel, lead you to repentance, and then to lead you to share a God-glorifying message with sinners such as myself. This is all because someone was inconsiderate enough to park in such a way. I bet he didn’t plan on contributing to the work of the gospel when he went out to show off his car and pick up some milk!

    What saddens me is how many of these Phariseeical moments go totally unnoticed in my life, and I walk away continuing to feel self-righteous. A heart that is sensitive to these moments is first sensitive to the grace that Jesus shows me day-after-day, minute-by-minute. I pray He would reveal more of these moments in all of our lives.

    Will

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