Driving the Interstate 70 of My Life
Traveling by myself back to California from Michigan on Interstate 70 turned into not only a great adventure, but an analogy of my walk with the Lord.
How? Well…let’s begin in Michigan.
Lush, green trees lined the freeway. Coming from the brick and mortar city of Los Angeles, I really do not get to see that much green in my every day life so I was in awe and wonder of it’s beauty. I could have spent hours just driving around in the small outlets that took me into a dense forest of green like the main picture. But alas, I had to keep moving across the country.
Once I got through Missouri and half way through Kansas, the landscape began to flatten out. The green prairie full of sunflowers eventually turned into a light green and then eventually into gray and sometimes red rocks of nothingness. Even my phone became nothing…literally. No service meant no more podcasts to occupy my mind.
The vast land of nothingness then turned into almost a foreign land of rocks and hills. The rock formations jutted out from the ground like the crystal experiments I used to do when I was a child. They were so bizarre that it felt like I was on a different planet.
And the journey continued…
Eventually, midway through Colorado, I could see in the distance the formidable Rocky Mountains. As I got closer it felt like I was coming upon an impenetrable wall. However, the freeway began winding through these smaller, less imposing hills, and before I knew it the majestic walls of rock were towering over me. And just as I thought we would never make it over the next upcoming rock wall, a tunnel opened up before me so I could go through to the other side.
Traveling through the Rockies was an uphill, downhill journey. It was not just a one time up hill, then all the way down hill to get through the vast mountains. And even on the other side, I encountered more valleys and more mountains, but nothing quite as formidable as the great Rockies.
Once I got to Zion National Park, another area of majestic beauty, I decided to camp there and walk The Narrows. And just like my drive through the walls of rock that towered over me, the mountains of Zion towered over me as I walked the Virgin River cutting its way through the mountains. I marveled at the beauty, majesty and power of this magical place, and I never wanted it to end.
Remembering my trek across America on Interstate 70, God showed me just how similar it was to my walk with Him…
Earlier in my life, when my walk with Christ was good, life was green and full of life. I enjoyed the lush beauty of my Creator in my life and walk. But then eventually, the occasional distraction along the way would pull me off road, but not for long. I would get back on track enjoying the rich fullness surrounding me. However, after awhile, I got used to the green and stopped appreciating it, spending time in it and seeking it out. Instead I began to listen more to the words of others. Those words filled my mind and took my eyes off of the One who should have been my priority.
Soon, I allowed life to take hold of me. Marriage. Kids. The vibrant life within me began to flatten out and diminish in color. Confusion of purpose and where I was at in my life began to look foreign to me. And at one point, God asked me to put away the noise and be still with Him. To be still with Him in the nothingness. In the confusion. In the uncertainty.
I began to open myself back up to the Creator. I began to feel the lushness return just in time to face the giant, formidable wall of rock that was thrown in my path. Do I turn back? Do I find a different way? Or must I go through it?
I was at the end of myself, so I surrendered.
With Him now in the lead, we went through it. A slow ascent at first that led into the intimidating mountains. Doubt would creep in. I don’t think I can make it over this one God. I don’t think I can do it.
But He takes my hand, makes an opening and together we go through it. More hills and valleys come. But as each one comes and goes, my faith increases and strengthens. All doubt flees and will continue to flee if I stay on the path and keep my eyes focused on Him.
Now, the formidable mountains that come my way…I look upon them with wonder and awe, like I did with the green, lushness. Not because of the mountains themselves, but because of the One walking beside me. Because of the One walking me through it.
Whether in the green, lush forest or near the towering, walls of rock there is…
Majesty. Power. Wonder. Awe.
Because the Creator of it ALL is REAL and He is THERE WITH ME.
“And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn – Zion! God in full view!” Psalms 84:5-7 (MSG)
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