There are not as many roundabouts in my area as there are overseas; however, there is one on my daily route and I have noticed some problems. Everything flows nicely when people yield as law states; however, when people refuse to yield, there are a lot of near misses. Unfortunately I see my life flash before my eyes frequently. I have considered why this happens so often. The law states that when people are inside the “circle” of the roundabout, others (outside the circle) must yield to those inside the circle. Every entrance to the circle says “YIELD.” Instead, I see people not even slow down at the “yield” area, and enter into the circle when someone (like me) is right there. Slam on brakes. Near miss. Heart pumping out of chest.
Today there is this greater fight for rights. I deserve the very best. I should have the right to go first. I am ENTITLED. I DESERVE. There is this sense of entitlement that causes people to believe they deserve better treatment than others. They should be first. They should get the right of way. They should get whatever they want. They deserve it. Others need to give way. Others need to give in.
Jesus –God on earth in human form—did not walk with a sense of entitlement. He did not say, “Hey, I’m God so I get to eat the first of this fish and bread.” He did not say, “Hey, I’m God so I do not have to pay this fee” or “Hey, I’m God so I shouldn’t have to climb up this hill.” He also didn’t say, “Hey I’m God so I can disrespect others and jump in line.” He didn’t even say, “Hey I’m God so bow down to me right now.” So why, WHY do we do that? Why do we feel we are entitled? Why?
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:5-8 [NIV]
Tania Gutekunst 