Godspeed

Most people associate Germany with the Autobahn. The German Autobahn is famous abroad for its stretches without a speed limit, but the reality is more nuanced. While it’s true that some areas allow unrestricted driving, large portions are subject to limits because of traffic, construction, or safety concerns. Germany also recommends a “Richtgeschwindigkeit” (advisory speed) of 130 km/h (81 mph), and driving significantly faster can increase your liability in case of an accident.

The perceived benefit of driving fast—saving time—is often outweighed by the costs. For example, a trip from Frankfurt to Munich (about 500 kilometers or 310 miles) at an average speed of 180 km/h (112 mph) and without any stops would mathematically save about 64 minutes compared to driving at 130 km/h (81 mph).[1] That time savings, however, comes at a high price: fuel consumption nearly doubles, costing around €105 (about US$120) for about 60 to 65 liters (15.8 to 17.2 gallons), versus €63 (about US$72) for about 35 to 38 liters (9.2 to 10 gallons), not to mention the added stress and increased danger as you have to share the road with a lot of slow-moving trucks, mobile homes, and cars trying to pass them. In essence, while the Autobahn offers freedom, the actual gain in time is modest compared to the fuel burned, money spent, and nerves frayed along the way.

Life is not about saving time by getting somewhere quicker. It’s about the journey with God

The Rational Choice

We can make rational choices about how we spend our nervous energy and fuel on the Autobahn, but we often struggle with our rhythm as we live life itself. Many of us live life as if we would be on the Autobahn, driving at full speed. We’re not sure about our destination, other than knowing that someday we will die, and yet we seem intent on living full throttle. We struggle to take time for things that we all know are important. Things such as our health, relationships, and especially our relationship with God and preparation for eternity.

It’s impossible to enjoy the landscape while going down the Autobahn at full throttle. Everything just becomes a blur. When we see an accident, of course, everyone slows down, and for the next little while it is as if everyone is sobered by the event, but soon enough we all forget and begin speeding away, letting the everyday urgency outweigh the important.

Our Creator must have known that we would have this tendency to want to speed through life. That’s why He blessed us with speed limits and rest areas. Sabbath is probably the most noticeable. A whole day when we are commanded not to do anything. When we can put aside the urgent and reconsider the important. Time to stop doing and to start being. Perhaps that’s the true secret to living, because after all, life is not about saving time by getting somewhere quicker. It’s about the journey with God. It’s about noticing the colorful patterns of the landscape. It’s about building relationships that will last into eternity. It’s about allowing God to transform us every day into what He has created us to be. It’s not about getting ahead or fuming about some slow driver in my lane. It’s about making the journey together. The preacher in Ecclesiastes 4:6 summarized it well: “One hand full of rest is better than two fists full of labor and striving after wind” (NASB).[2]

That’s good counsel to step on the brakes and transition to God’s rhythm.

[1] Truth be told, one would never be able to drive at a constant speed of 180 km/h between Frankfurt and Munich due to traffic congestion and construction work.

[2] Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.