My dad put me in front of the steering wheel of the farm truck when I was 6 years old. By the time I was 12, I was operating tractors. When I turned 15, Driver’s Education was a breeze for me. During class, the Driver’s Ed. Teacher would take 2 students at a time out on the road for practice. The first time out, I drove first. No problem. When my classmate’s turn came to drive, the once relaxed teacher was now frightened out of his wits as the newbie driver almost got us all killed. The driver exhibited a colossal lack of orientation, driving all over the road. It struck me as uproarious and I remember laughing hysterically in the back seat, trying to be quiet and respectful to the teacher who was beet red in the face with sweaty panic.

My classmate only had waking and running to reference. Probably never even had a big-wheel to drive around the neighborhood as a kid. But, people can work and learn together. I finally got my laughing under control as the teacher hit his brake. I encouraged my classmate and the teacher calmed down and we made it back to the school.

This is what is happening in China right now. New drivers are learning how to orient themselves to their vehicle, their surroundings, and other drivers. Because for over half a century, very few people, out of over a billion inhabitants, know how to drive.

Peter Hessler, author of Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory, explains how in 2001 in China, “The ratio was 128 people for every vehicle, similar to the United States in 1911.”

Although in 1922, the Chinese were headed in the same direction as the United States, developing road systems and selling cars. But when the Japanese invaded northern China in 1937, the war crippled the auto market. Then the Mao communist government made it impossible for people to own a car until the Reform years.

I use this “car driving story” as an analogy and compare it to being on a spiritual journey.

Spirituality requires a new orientation, new references. Willingness, courage and practice are necessary because someone or something could put obstacles in our mind. Fortunately, as we learn, there will be people patient enough to help us on our spiritual journey. Don’t be intimidated by the people who tell you to reference an old way of doing things. The Chinese are not starting out by driving Model-T’s. They have modern vehicles. Reform and revise according to your situation today. And, don’t quit.

If someone is laughing at you, take a deep breath and keep learning. They are not laughing “at you” but at the fear. They really know you can master the skill of spiritual knowing and healing. Keep building on the reference of divine Spirit, God, because it does orient you to spiritual power.

From21st Century Science and Health, “Jesus cast out devils (evils) and healed the sick. Followers can also drive fear and all evil out of themselves and others and heal the sick. God will heal the sick through us whenever we are governed by God. Truth banishes error now as surely as it did twenty centuries ago.”