Sunday, May 21, 2023

A Traveler's Journey

 Two young brothers I knew were easily bored with the familiar and always reached for something, new, something to transport them faster toward new thrills. 

One found his thrill driving a race car faster and faster, around and around the track repeatedly. The other found that boring--his thrill came from exploring something new, different, the unknown. His life choice offers light to other travelers heading in that direction.

When he became frustrated at getting lost, often having to stop others to ask which fork in the road to take, but soon learned he had a different destination, so their advice could be a hindrance rather than help. Frustrated, he cried out, "There's bound to be a clear, consistent route to ensure I get where I'm going every time." And someone passing by offered him a road map which made his path clearer.

Still loving traveling to new places, he decided driving a truck would keep him headed to new places reliably. But 4-wheeler background doesn't begin to prepare you for 18 wheels, so before he was allowed to get behind the wheel, he had a lot to learn. He had to be still for a time, to study a whole set of road rules for the huge vessel and receive extensive training in handling the huge vehicle. And most importantly, more exacting routes unique to the truck. Stopping every few miles to study his route plan made his trip slower, so he memorized as much info as he could, and soon was dependably on time, on the right road, and confident, knowing he was unlikely to get off his chosen path.

He knew God had blessed him with a wonderful life-long, challenging journey with good supervision, but soon realized his speed sometimes outran the section of road he could see ahead and had to slow down for safety or else overshoot a crossroad he should have taken. Just like in his personal life he sometimes seemed to find himself offtrack and, frustrated, cried out, "Why, Lord? I know where I want to go--why do I keep taking the wrong, rough road filled with detours and missing highway signs?"

While at a truck stop for his meal, another trucker sat down beside him and asked him why so unhappy, and he shared his confusion. Nodding, his new friend shared he had faced this dilemma of the complicated road ahead, until someone showed him how to read the extensive detail in the map provided to all believers who studied its directions--in the Bible. He warned the road would often be rough and dangerous, but not to give up, but stay the course and his future would be sure, even though he faced an unseen path only visible a day ahead.

As the years passed, the now-older young man looked back at the glowing of the well-lit path behind him, and gladly found many opportunities to encourage other travelers to continue this habit, all the way Home!

After all, you will be lonely in Heaven if none of your friends or family are there!

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.     Isaiah 26:3