The “comfort stations” at the rest areas on Highway 77 in South Carolina are fully automatic. “No touch”, as it is said. You can breeze in, take care of your business, and breeze out, without touching anything at all. Beautiful!

The only problem was, I couldn’t make any of it work!

First off, the automatic flushing system decided to go on strike just as I entered. I pitied the next customer, but had no means to rectify the problem.

My next challenge was to try and make the water run into the sink. As I struggled away, vainly waving my hands under the faucet, I noticed that my fellow travellers were having better luck than I was. Perhaps it was my faucet? Perhaps it was broken? As soon as another sink became available, I moved over. It must have been a bit intimidating, because it immediately began to spout the necessary water!

Now with drippy wet hands, I approached one of those hot air hand driers. Again, it was “no touch”, equipped with a motion sensor. No matter how hard I waved my hands under it, however, nothing happened. I tried a few acrobatics, but it didn’t seem to care if I stood on my head or danced a jig. It simply wouldn’t come on! Looking down at my jeans, I decided they would have to do.

As I exited the “comfort station” with drippy jeans, I couldn’t help but notice that the vending machines were behind bars. What had they done wrong? Maybe they had not delivered their promised goods automatically? Where had I landed?

Sadly one thing I have learned while being on this planet is that I can expect to be lied to. If I expect differently, then I set myself up for disappointment. It would be so nice if truth was always the norm! But just as automatic devices aren’t always “automatic”, it cannot be expected.

The trouble is that we have all inherited a rebellious gene. This character trait causes us to rebel against anything or anyone in authority. We tend to live life: “my way or the highway.” (probably referring to highway 77!)

Why?

“There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Rom 3:22-23 NIV)

We are no better than anyone else! However someone came to break that nasty rebellious habit and straighten our paths to real bliss.

“And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Rom 3:24 NIV)

“He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.” (Titus 2:14 The Message)

There is goodness in this world, but it is always generated directly or indirectly from the One who really cares for us. Rely on Him and you will be a blessing. Deny Him and you set yourself up to a lot of disappointments.

P. S. Where is the toilet paper?

Rob Chaffart

(To access the entire “Real Living” devotional series, please click here.)