Lessons from the Road

This past weekend, I headed to my favorite place in the world, high in the Sierra Nevada mountains. I traveled a road I have driven hundreds of times in my life. As I recognized trees, rocks, mountain shapes, and buildings, my muscle memory kicked in and I instinctively knew to turn to the left or right, speed up or slow down, based on what I saw. It’s always been an easy drive with those landmarks.

Suddenly, the landscape changed. I reached the part of the road where the devastation from last year’s Creek Fire had obliterated nearly everything in its path. Where lush forests of pine, fir, and cedar once flourished, I could see nothing but remnants of trees, looking like giant, charred toothpicks against the bare mountainside. Even the old general store, that brought sweet memories to mind, was reduced to ash. The landmarks I always depended on to navigate that road were gone. The road was no longer familiar. I could not drive with the usual abandon I depended on in the past. Simply trusting the design of the road was my only option.

I began to think about the landmarks on the road of my life’s journey. Career, accomplishments, accolades, friends, and relationships are all landmarks I depend on to guide me. What would I do without those monuments and milestones? As I ponder that question, a familiar Bible passage comes to mind.

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” – John 14:5-7 (NIV)

I have lived long enough to have experienced the loss of many of my landmarks. Doing well in my career did not bring deep meaning to my life, accomplishments faded over time, and accolades became just ribbons and plaques on a wall. Friends abandoned me at times and relationships failed. Remembering the words of Jesus encourages me to continue following Him as He leads the way to the Father. Jesus is the only Way. He is the definition of Truth. and the reason we can have eternal Life. I am called to trust the One who created the road and prepared the way to bring us to our ultimate destination, eternal life with God.