So. I’m traveling for a few days and as is my custom, I’m not interested in the noise of voices or melodies. It’s a quiet time. Nothing but road noise.
No. I’m not writing as I’m driving! I stopped for brunch!
The miles sweep by and the words of the road keep popping up on my radar. The names of creeks, rivers, communities, towns, counties and businesses. Somewhere, somehow, someone thought that the names I see. meant something to them, so they labeled it. Davis Creek. Bucksnort, Missouri. Auxvasse. There’s even a town called Emma (my granddaughter will enjoy the picture I took!)
The surrounding cars going about the same speed as I am and are becoming very familiar. We are all passing the big rigs that dot the landscape, and I recognize those that are conscientious, and those that have no clue how to drive with others in mind. I’m always looking down the road, changing lanes in advance of the movement of other cars and as the road conditions change.
I watch others filter into the traffic flow, and exit for other destinations.
Suddenly, I’m thinking about logistics, processes, labeling, purpose, destination and how do we get from here to there. Who goes with us and who transition into other pathways as lives take turns for other needs. Some are in the transition to the future with the long-haul in mind, others are looking for the quick fix and sudden exit.
This brings me to my thought today. Do you remember that not everyone followed Jesus all the time? In fact, some chose different paths even though they were wanting to be followers. But then, it seems, out of the blue an entire culture and community rejects Jesus. His disciples are upset. Let’s teach them a lesson!
“And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”
Luke 9:51-56 (KJV)
Did you catch it? His job was not to destroy, but to reach and save. Shouldn’t that be our point of consideration?
To be like Jesus…to be like Jesus!
On earth I long, to be like him.
All through life’s journey,
From Earth to Glory…
I only want to be like Him!
Maybe they learned the lesson! I know I keep striving to learn!
Then, in the next section of scripture, a stranger comes to Jesus and declares he wants to follow him.
“And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:57-62 (KJV)
Something sort of speaks to me this morning as the road unfolds in front of me. There is a job for the church to do, but first we must prepare our path (hearts, soul, mind and strenght) as Jesus teaches in Mark 12:30-31. The result will be a love for our neighbors as ourselves, becuae of the Love we have for Christ.
Whether someone comes and say they want to be followers, or Jesus speaks to someone particular to become a follower, it is really up to the individual whether they will do what needs to be done. Are they willing to be on the road? Or not. In fact, those that choose to not be a follower need not be our enemy
Come on. Let’s Drive the Distance and know where we are heading and get there successfully!