On Turning the Other Cheek

We’ve all heard the old “turn the other cheek” philosophy, but does that make any sense in today’s world? Consider this familiar scenario. I’m driving along. A guy cuts me off. “He can’t do that!” I speed around him and hit my brakes. He tries to force me off the road. Et cetera. Had I simply “turned the other cheek,” countless headaches would have been avoided. I may have lost 3-5 seconds in my commute, but I’d be alive and less stressed. (And by the way, if I were honest, have I not done the same thing to someone else? If only accidentally?)

Repeat this: Starting with me, two wrongs will never make a right. I will not meet violence with violence.

On Conservation

There’s no question that rising fuel costs are making a big impact on business. The price of gas is causing many people to see conservation as a moral issue. What do you drive – a guzzler or a sipper? How do you drive – jack rabbit starts or easy on the pedal? As fast as you can get away with or within the speed limit? When do you drive – anytime you think of it or planning several errands at once?

Complain about gas prices if you must, but repeat this: Starting with me, gasoline will be valued as the endangered resource it is.

The Ethics of Everyday Decisions - Driving Fast

Did it ever occur to you that how you drive is a moral decision? Besides the obvious values on human lives (and the possible threat to yourself and others from reckless driving and high speeds) think about this. What is your value on patriotism? What is your value on the environment?

The following data will hopefully get you thinking about how aggressive driving and speeding - yes, even 5 mph over the limit - could affect all of us.

America's independence from foreign oil is certainly affected by the decisions we make as we drive to and from work. There are those who believe the last couple wars America has been involved in are all about oil. Whether or not that's true, don't you think it's worth thinking about before we try to gain an extra couple of minutes on our commute by speeding?

Burning any percent more fuel puts that same percent of CO2 emissions into the atomosphere and consumes that much more of an unrenewable resource.

Finally, if neither of those values move you, think about how you value your own money. Even at the low end of these projections, you could be spending the equivalent $.39 per gallon more just by the choices you make as you drive.

Read these figures and then make a conscious decision. Now live by it.

(Source: www.fueleconomy.gov)
Drive Sensibly
Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Fuel Economy Benefit:
5-33%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:
$0.16-$1.06/gallon

Observe the Speed Limit
While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
Observing the speed limit is also safer.

Fuel Economy Benefit:
7-23%
Equivalent Gasoline Savings:
$0.23-$0.74/gallon

A Scriptural Perspective: The land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. Throughout the country that you hold as a possession, you must provide for the redemption of the land. Lev. 25:23-24.