Finding Joy in Last Place

I'm arrogant when I drive.

If someone passes me, I pass them. If someone revs their engine next to me, I rev my engine back. If someone is driving super slow, I sit behind them and rev my engine and stare into their rear view mirror so they can see me looking at them hoping they are intimidated.

Stoplights are the same way. Everything is a race to the next red light. (Which is a guarantee if you live where I live) Of course, I realize that it is unfair because the other driver doesn't know but I never care. It's a race, I don't have time to fraternize with the enemy.

I mean, come on, I'm driving a Ford Mustang and because of this I believe I should have my own designated lane where the speed limit doesn't apply. I mean, my car can do the things Conan's can, but better. (see here)

But awhile ago I realized that being first in everything on the road doesn't mean much. That this competition I call driving is a pride issue, and I must rid myself of it.

It reminded me of Donald Miller's Searching For God Knows What where he imagines Adam and Eve visiting him and his friend. Adam and Eve ask why everything is a competition, why we are always trying to "one-up" each other. Why when my sports team loses it's, "they lost" and when the win it's "we won."

It reminded me of my science teacher in eleventh grade telling us that we will never be the best at something. That there will always be someone better than us at something. It was a big downer at that point but now I realize the brilliance of it.

It reminded me of Jesus. Who everyone expected to come to earth and bring down some holy fire on the Romans. You know, go all Chuck Norris on them. But this was a new covenant, a new testament, and things were different now. Instead, Jesus went to the lowest of lows by dying on a cross.

So, regarding my driving, I slowed down, I started finding joy in last place. I didn't make it a competition because I would never be the best and I knew that being in first isn't all that it's hyped up to be. Sure, a Mustang is pretty cool, but it still gets there as fast as any other car.

Am I perfect in this? No, not at all. I still have my moments where I lose my patience and imagine the car ahead of me hitting road spikes, flipping over, (maybe an explosion?) and skidding off to the side as I zoom on by laughing (not really, but you get the picture).

So here's to knowing we're not the best, and finding joy in last place.