The Icy Road (01/17/2024)

It had been several days since the snowstorm, so I didn’t think anything about heading off to an appointment in a nearby town. As I left home, I noticed that the city streets were not well cleared; there were icy patches in several places. But as I forged on, I assured myself that the highway would be clear. As I turned onto Highway A and made that first corner, I could tell that this road was even worse than the city street. The farther I went, the worse it got. There was no lane marker; it was buried beneath the thick ice. The side of the road wasn’t apparent, either; the deep snow had erased any delineation of the ditch. I assured myself that it would be fine; I had plenty of time to drive carefully and slowly. I just prayed that any cars I met were following the same principle.

Our journeys are full of surprises. We can plan well, but we can’t always foresee what lies ahead. Caution is necessary; getting a read of the terrain and challenges is also a must. Our previous experiences can be handy, helping us to navigate similar situations. But the most important component isn’t a gadget or a failproof strategy but rather a relationship with our “navigator.” Opening ourselves to the LORD’s guidance along the way makes all the difference; the LORD directs us through His loving power and presence when we are open.

Relationships have a way of guiding us better than laws or rules because we all know there never will be a rule for every possible scenario. But if we rely upon our relationship to inform us, asking ourselves how best we live out the love for the other whether it be our LORD or a friend or a spouse or a child, we will choose wisely. In Jesus’ final hours with his disciples, He kept it simple. “Love one another as I have loved you.” Applying that to all our relationships can lead us through even the most difficult of relational terrains.

And let us not forget our relationship with ourselves. The LORD doesn’t. The second greatest commandment is to love one another as we love ourselves – love of self is not implied – love of self is the gauge. How can we give what we do not have? The road to discovery of ourselves and to love of ourselves runs through the vastness of the mystery of the LORD and the LORD’s love for us. We can only discover ourselves and love ourselves when we come into loving and awe-filled relationship with our LORD. Who are we that our LORD died to save us?

Last evening as I sat briefly on my porch, bundled up like Nanook of the North, I thanked the LORD for the day and for my safe travels. But what I really focused on, last evening, was my relationship with the LORD who has brought me to this day, to this point, loving me all the way, and calling me to become all He’s created me to be. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but I know I don’t make it alone.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.