Have you ever traveled down a long highway unable to see anything but asphalt–just hot, black asphalt! During college, my husband agreed to fly to California and drive a car back to Oklahoma for his Uncle Eli who worked for a bank that had repossessed the car. The bank needed someone to retrieve it from its previous owner and drive it back to Oklahoma. So, Mark flew from Nashville, Tennessee, where he was attending college, to Sacramento, California.
On his trip back from California to Oklahoma, he drove across the desert on Route 66. Though I have never been on Route 66, I hear, it is a long, flat, and desolate drive with road as far as the eye can see. Mark commented that if you happened to fall asleep at the wheel, your car could travel for miles and never run into a thing.
We have been on a trip, a journey, if you will, with the Lord for a few years now and still all I can see is long, flat, hot asphalt. There’s no end in sight. At times I get weary of this long and lonely road; I want off. At times I’ve thought I would like to take a more scenic route like the one you travel going up Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs. Now, that’s an exciting road and what a view! Why have we had to travel this long desolate road? I was asking the Lord that question just this morning. Maybe, just maybe, God has chosen this flat, long and desolate road to focus our attention completely on Him.
On the road one would climb to Pikes Peak there’s incredible danger. You must keep your eyes on the road and make sure your wheels do not slip off the edge, lest you plunge thousands of feet. There’s really no danger on this long, dry and desolate road we are on, only quiet. In that quiet we are able to listen and if we listen we will hear a voice– a still quiet voice. With only asphalt ahead and time on our hands, we are much more attuned to hear that still quiet voice speaking to us. The road to Pikes Peak is treacherous and requires a person’s undivided attention; your mind is continually on the road and the danger that lies therein. But, on Route 66 there is no reason to fear, be anxious, or even to consider the road– just hours to look ahead, listen and meditate.
God has spoken much along this journey road. He has said to us, “Do not fear, I love you and you are not alone.” While Mark felt all alone driving from California to Oklahoma, our Heavenly Father has never left us alone on this road. He has been there, sitting in the passenger’s seat, keeping us company. Oh, the sweet conversations we have had, and the questions we have asked of Him. He’s taught us so much on this road. He’s pointed out all the wonderful scenery and the hidden beauty of this journey. Lately, I have found myself longing to see the end and a desire to reach our destination. My legs are stiff and my lower back is sore; I am ready to stop and stretch my legs a while.
When our girls were small, we would travel 14 hours to see my family. I’d get the car packed, and we would wait for Mark to arrive home, then off we would go. About the time we got to the end of the driveway, Kelly, our youngest would say, “Are we there yet?” We would laugh and say, “It is going to take some time before we get there. Sit back, buckle up, we will get there, when we get there.” In her little mind, it shouldn’t have taken long to get anywhere.
I have asked God that same question numerous times– Father, are we there yet? I am tired of being on this road. He chuckles and says, “Buckle up, just relax. You will get there when you get there.”
As parents, we knew how long it would take, the states we had to travel through to get from Texas to Tennessee, the exact number of tanks of gas, potty breaks and food stops. We always knew when we were getting close to our destination. As Kelly got older, she began to realize the sights and landscape as we neared Nashville. She’d say, “I see the big rocks; we are almost there.” As we drew closer to Nashville, the more rocky ledges appeared along Interstate 40 and she would see the rocks and know we were close.
Sometimes I think I see the rocky ledges; perhaps we are almost there. But, the Father seems to be saying, “Just a little further. You are almost there.” As we would near Nashville, I can remember pulling out the brush to brush the girls’ hair. I wanted them to look their best for the family. I even put on a little blush and lipstick myself. I find that I am now looking for the rocky ledges and reaching for my lipstick. When this journey is over, I want to look my best for the Father.
Father, this road has been much longer than I anticipated. Thank you that I have not traveled alone, You have been with me every mile of the way. Thank you that You have given me eyes to see the beauty that lies along the roadway. The end is in sight and there You will meet me and I desire to hear You say, “Welcome home my child, you journeyed far, you journeyed well.”
“Show me your ways O Lord; teach me your paths.” Psalm 25:4
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8
“For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.” Psalm 48:14
dianne