MY GOOD FRIEND, Ron McClung shared an experience he had regarding the need to get his Indiana driver's license since moving to that state. I went through a similar experience several years ago when I located there. I'm sure many of you have gone through something similar and can therefore identify with his feelings. I'm not sure exactly where all of this took place, but I can hazzrd a guess: "Frustration City!" In any case, here's what he had to say about his encounter with some civil servants (and I use that title loosely):

"Before you can get a license on your car, you must have an Indiana driver's license," she said. "To get a driver's license, I have to see your license from your previous state of residence, your Social Security card, and proof of your residence, like a utility bill or a bank statement."

"But I don't have a Social Security card," I responded. "I can give you my number, but I lost the card many years ago and I never had it renewed."

"Then you will have to go to the Social Security office and get a new one. Or get a letter of verification that you are eligible for one."

"What about my passport? Will that do?"

"No, it has to be the Social Security card."

"What about my birth certificate? I can bring that in."

"No, it must be the Social Security card or the letter."

"But I work all day and the temporary license on my car is going to expire in a couple of days," I said, almost pleading.

"Well, then, you'd better get that letter, hadn't you?"

"You know, I have held a driver's license in Iowa , Kansas , Michigan , Delaware , and even Indiana many years ago, and I never had to prove I existed." I could feel my temperature rising, but was trying to be civil.

"That must have been before 9 – 11," she said. Nevertheless, when I mentioned I had once held a license in Indiana , she decided to see if I was in her system. No such luck. Of course, it was nearly 25 years ago.

"No, you’re not here," she announced. "You've been purged from the system."

"Yep," echoed her two co-workers, standing nearby, "you’ve been purged." What a delightful trio.

I took off work early, traveled a half hour to a nearby city, visited the Social Security office, and obtained the necessary letter. At this writing, I hope to get both my driver's license and new tags for my vehicle tomorrow.

The ancient Scriptures talk about a book in which names are written (Daniel 12:1; Revelation 20:15). If your name is written in that book, you have a place in heaven. I can handle not being in the Bureau of Motor Vehicles' computer, but I want to be sure my name is written in His book. Do you have that assurance?