The White Line

Technological advancement usually trends toward increasing what we can do and where we can go. But we might benefit even more when we develop technology that shows us what not to do and where not to go—as we see from a brilliant 1950s invention that still saves lives to this day.

Twenty-first century technology is pretty astounding, to say the least, enabling us to do things undreamt of a generation ago. We’ve moved from flip phones to smartphones, and oh, how smart they are. With the advent of these and other devices, e-commerce has put every imaginable product, service, and convenience within instant reach. A woman in the Ozarks can easily shop the markets of New York, Tokyo, London, or anywhere else in the world with a few taps on her phone. Our choices are boundless.

Smartphones have made it easy to forget the World Book Encyclopedias that sat in the family room to help with homework. We now have instant access to trivial facts, cooking tutorials, real-time news, and weather alerts. We can navigate unknown territories with maps and voice narrations with our GPS-equipped phones. Our opportunities are limitless.

This is the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to the plethora of technological advances that have taken center stage in many people’s lives. These advances include generative and machine‑learning A.I., electric and autonomous vehicles, 3D‑printed organs, brain‑computer interfaces, and advanced space exploration. Our horizons are unrestricted.

It would be hard to argue that these technologies have not made life better by removing friction from everyday activity and expanding what the “ordinary Joe” can do. But as much as we may enjoy the limitless choice available to us, we generally have a desire to know where the boundaries are. How many take for granted the simpler innovations we encounter daily that make life smoother and safer by showing us those boundaries?

One example is the white line on the right side of the road—the line on which we focus when an oncoming vehicle’s headlights blind our eyes to the rest of the road. After these white “edge lines” were painted in 1957, “a before-after crash study showed a 19 percent reduction in crashes after the installation of the edge lines. In addition, edge lines resulted in a 37 percent reduction in fatalities and injuries, a 63 percent reduction in crashes at access points such as intersections and driveways, and a 35 percent reduction in nighttime crashes” (U.S. Department of Transportation). Since then, the use of raised edge line audible pavement striping and “rumble strips” has enhanced roadway safety even further, built upon the original white-paint edge line.

We appreciate not just the boundaries on the roadways we travel, but also at home, in school, or on the job. Toddlers, for example, “spend most of their time testing limits—their own, yours, and their environment’s…. When they overstep a limit and are pulled back, they often react with anger and frustration, a temper tantrum or sullen rage.” When parents “consistently set reasonable limits that allow them to explore and exercise their curiosity, but draw the line at dangerous or antisocial behavior,” their children will gradually “sense what’s acceptable and what’s not” (HealthyChildren.org).

Adults also feel frustration when boundaries are unclear, even though we’re often quick to grumble once those boundaries are finally set. The God of the Bible designed human beings to flourish not with unlimited options, but with direction. When life overwhelms us with choices or blinds us with difficulty, clear boundaries steady our steps and point our attention back to what matters. They don’t restrict the good life we’re pursuing; they make it possible.

The Bible is our “white line” on which to focus when life’s difficulties blind our eyes from eternal truths. King David declared his love for God’s law throughout Psalm 119, and he used the commandments to guide his life. Scripture provides the guide to a happy, abundant, and purposeful life: keeping the commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

If you are seeking a life filled with meaning, satisfaction, and clear direction, begin your search with the free Tomorrow’s World study guide The Ten Commandments.