A few weeks ago, I had to make a trip to the county courthouse to make an appearance before the judge. Yes, I was in trouble with the law.
See, the month before I had gotten pulled over. I wasn't driving recklessly or anything. My inspection sticker had just expired, although I was still within the 5-day grace period that is permitted by the state of Texas. The cop pulled me over and asked to see my license and insurance information. No worries, I thought. Everything is just fine. I'm all legal. Insurance is paid, and I'm going to have my car inspected before the five days is up, so...what's the problem?
The cop returned my paperwork and politely informed me that I had no insurance. What?! I just paid my insurance, and I paid for three months' worth. I should be good until the middle of November. What did he mean I have no insurance? I most certainly DO have insurance. But no, he insisted, I did not. Then I looked at my ID card. The date only showed one month of coverage, not the entire three that I had paid for. Argh. No sense in arguing anymore; I don't have any proof with me of what I know to be true. I signed the ticket and made sure that I got the instructions for how to contest it.
The cop pulled away, and I turned the car around to go directly to my insurance company's office, which strangely enough was right around the corner from where I had been pulled over. I explained to them what happened, showed them my ID card, and they checked their computer. Sure enough, I WAS covered for three months. I simply had not received the new ID card that they were supposed to have sent me, the ID card showing three months of coverage instead of one. They issued me the correct card, and I drove down to the county courthouse to show them the proof. Turns out, it wasn't enough to show the courthouse clerk; I have to see the judge.
So a few weeks ago, I finally had my appointment, along with about fifty other people. I waited for my turn to be called up to the front of the courtroom, and I knew that I had nothing to be worried or anxious about. This time I had all the correct paperwork with me, and I could prove that I had insurance at the time when I was being accused of not having it. The judge called my name, and as I stood in front of the bench he read the charge against me--failure to maintain financial responsibility. Then he said something that I will never forget:
"We checked with the home office, and you were good at the time. We can't charge you a dime. Case dismissed."
Good with the home office--the charge against me was dropped, because I was good with the home office. I had gotten my insurance squared away long before I was pulled over, so they didn't have any more case against me. As I walked out of the courtroom, all I could think about was the spiritual parallel to this incident.
See, there's going to be a day when every one of us is going to get "pulled over" by death. Our time on earth will be up, and we will have to have our spiritual "paperwork" in order at that moment. We will be required to have an appointment with the Judge, Jehovah God, and He will check with the "home office". If we aren't good with the "home office", in other words, if we have not repented of our sins against Him and confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we will be in BIG trouble. But if we're good with the home office, all the charges will have to be dropped. THAT will be a hundred times more wonderful than having a silly little traffic ticket dismissed, don't you think?
If you want to know more, don't hesitate to contact me. Meanwhile, I'm going to go make sure that new ID card is sitting safely in my glove compartment...