The Journey
March 26, 1999
Dear Friends,
It was a few years ago, but I remember I was in a hurry to get somewhere . . . driving down a road which I rarely took. My mind filled with a jumble of thoughts and emotions . . . All I hadn’t accomplished . . . Everything I still needed to do. And, I was tired . . . very tired. . . . Rushing . . . Rushing . . . Rushing. I was going to Butler Field to pick up my son from a football game. From there, I was going home. On I drove, preoccupied when . . . something caught my eye . . . There . . . I saw them . . . in a strip of grass along the highway median. . . the most exquisite patch of a violet flowers . . . small . . .delicate . . . and, vibrant . . . with vivid yellow centers!
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me . . . .
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:29,30
The Christian walk may not be an easy one, but, it is very rewarding. Jesus said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33)." As we follow the Lord, he may lead us through deep valleys, up steep hills and rugged mountains. ("Are there no ski lifts where we are going?" I once asked the Lord.) Consequently, from a natural - a human perspective - the Christian walk can seem to be so difficult, so arduous, so circuitous, at time. It may even seem that God is leading us out of our way. (His thoughts are not our thoughts . . . His ways not our ways. cf. Isaiah 55:8) However, from a spiritual perspective the Christian walk is filled with awe-inspiring discoveries . . . Mysteries unfurled . . . Secret wonders of God found in the most unlikely places . . . Revelations from the Divine Heart . . . Flowers along life’s the highway.
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At the sight of the flowers, I begin to praise my God . . . Oh, how beautiful! . . . What lovely flowers! Thank you, Lord for showing them to me. In the midst of my praise, I felt a peace as my cares began to melt away, as my strength was renewed . . . I continued on my journey. When, at last, I reached the stadium, I realized that I was in the wrong place. The game was at Delmar, thirty minutes on the other side of town. I wasn’t upset and I couldn’t get angry. Look at the peace and strength I would have missed had I not taken that "detour." . . . His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
In the Master’s Love,
The Preacher