"L" Plates

I’d not realised until a few years ago that the concept of sticking an “L” plate on a car when there is a learner driver at the wheel was something that is peculiar to the United Kingdom. It seems like a good idea too. I’ve missed the traditional tearing up of the “L” plates when friends pass their test.

Life perhaps could use some form of “L” plate too couldn’t it? Paul speaks of the concept in Hebrews of “Pressing toward the mark,” recognising that we’re not perfect and have still a way to go.Equally, parenting perhaps should have a driving school complete with “L” plates to prepare us. I must often still look like a novice parent sometimes as I muddle my way through that important task despite having adult children. The risk of failing a driving test is ever present for the student driver.  Life, on the other hand, has no “fail” attached when we are following the instruction of God.  Far from it!  The phrase, “well done good and faithful servant” seems so inappropriate as we muddle and struggle along, but of course God isn’t looking at what we DO so much as who we ARE and what His son has already done on our behalf.  The ripping up of life's “L” plates spiritually will be a great day none the less.