Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Last week, Pam and I took a road trip to Toledo, Ohio. We helped our son and daughter-in-law move by hauling their furniture and towing their car. I have to admit I was pretty stoked before the trip. It was kind of a “man thing” thinking about driving a big diesel truck and looking down on all the “little cars”. I was singing old trucker classics like: “Six days on the road and I’m gonna make it home tonight. And, “Give me 40 acres and I’ll turn this rig around”. After about 5 hours in the truck I was singing, “I can’t feel my booty” (sung to the tune of “If you want my body”).Interstate 80 is a long road! Did you know that there are 3 prisons in Nevada that are located off I-80? Those salt flats are good locations for prisons, I guess. Are there that many criminals in Nevada? Did you know that Wyoming has a drive-by zoo all along I-80? Well, it’s a zoo if you don’t mind the animals being dead. Apparently the state of Wyoming cannot keep up with roadkill. We saw dead deer (lots of them), antelope, porcupine, wolf or coyote (is there a difference?), rabbit, dog, duck-billed platypus and tapir. Just kidding about the last two, but it would not have surprised me.
Did you know this is what Nebraska looks like?
This also looks like Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and the part of Ohio we saw. Do we really need that much corn?
After four days on the road, the happiest moment was when we pulled into our kids driveway. After 2,432 miles and $1,467.00 worth of diesel, I was happy to be in Toledo!
Our Christian life can be compared to a road trip. It’s long and laborious and sometimes boring. But we’re in it for the long haul, right? So thinking about my recent road trip, here are some lessons I learned about the road of life.
1. Thinking about the final destination motivates you to keep going forward – “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2
2. Observe what’s lying on the side of the road – Many times we pass by those who are lying on the side of the road, ran over by life. Do we care enough to stop and help? In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus was asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus made it clear in this parable that our neighbor is anyone on the side of the road who is in need.
3. Follow the signs – God has given us his word so that our lives can be pointed in the right direction. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8
4. The best part of the trip is unloading – “Cast all your anxiety on him (Jesus) because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:7. On this Christian road trip, everyday is a good day to unload on Christ.
Let’s follow Jesus Christ down the road of life. The road is better when we travel together. Hey good buddy, we’ve got ourselves a convoy!
Pastor Tim
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