I-35
Sometimes, It's Just About the Road
Ever hear people say they just want to get from point A to point B?
What about those who like to concentrate more on the journey as opposed to just the destination?
I had to take an unexpected road trip this past week from Wisconsin to Texas. I drove for 18 hours, over two days, to get there.
The first day of the drive was difficult. Though it was beautiful when I left my house, the road conditions slowly began to change. Where at first I was able to enjoy the scenery all around me, the road began to get icy and snow laden. When this happened I had to pay more attention to what was directly in front of me...ice patches, snow drifts, blowing snow, cars off the road.
Day two of the drive brought more ice patches, but as I drove further south I ran into fog. I had to slow down quite a bit and work hard to just keep the road in sight.
But, one thing I did not have to worry about was where the road was taking me...I knew.
From Minneapolis, Minnesota to Dallas, Texas, I knew that I could follow Interstate 35 all the way. I knew that it was going to bring me where I needed to go.
The road conditions on the interstate might vary due to weather, traffic, or construction, but this road was going to bring me to my destination. I had faith in the road.
No matter what the circumstances around the road were...
No matter what speed I had to drive...
No matter how long it took me to get there...
I knew where this road was bringing me.
My faith in the road and where the road was taking me was what I needed to continue my trip even when it wasn't going as expected.
Then I thought about my Creator.
Maybe this is what faith looks like in my spiritual life as well.
Sometimes I see my faith as a destination...a place I want to eventually arrive at in my relationship with God.
Other times, I see my faith as the journey...something with constantly changing scenery and stops along the way.
But maybe... my faith is more like the road.
What if faith in God is feeling so confident that He is going to bring me where I need to go, that I stay with Him regardless of what circumstances are going on around me.
When I am in a clear section of life, I can enjoy the scenery, looking around and appreciating what surrounds me. But at other times I might need to grip the wheel tightly and use all of my energy to make sure I can see where the road is at in front of me...to make sure I can see Him.
Sometimes I might need to pull over to the shoulder of the road and wait for a bit until I can clearly see again...not because the road is no longer there, but because my ability to see it is skewed.
We don't always have a clear weather report, clean restrooms, or great Trip Advisor stops along our life's journey... But through Jesus, we have a road.
We have a road that leads us to hope, peace, love, and joy. We have a road that leads us to Him.
I want to encourage you today to stay on the road...don't take the detour that seems like it might be easier or faster.
Is your life really hard right now??
It's okay to go slow. There's no minimum speed limit.
Are you so overwhelmed by your surroundings that you can't even see the road?
Pull over to the shoulder for a bit. Allow yourself time to rest and heal.
Perhaps you are tired and you feel like you need someone in the car with you to help you stay awake and on the road?
Get in the carpool lane! God gives us the gift of one another. Ask for help.
But stay on the road. Trust that the road is taking you where you need to go, and continue heading to your destination...continue heading to Him.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
How can we truly love the one we do not know?
My prayer mimics that of Paul in Ephesians 1… I pray that through these writings we all might gain spiritual wisdom and insight so that we can know Him more…love Him more…and serve Him more
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