Well, a lot longer than we anticipated. For you see, two of our sons and I were sailing along in the old suburban, making great time and headed up to one of our favorite places--God's mountains. We had just just turned onto the last leg of our journey and could finally glimpse the distant outline of those mountains up ahead. Beauty, peace, and glory just ahead...only thirty minutes away.
Suddenly, traffic came to a complete standstill. Seriously. Both lanes on our brief six mile stretch of Interstate 77 before we'd make our final turnoff to the mountains--Was. Not. Moving. Every now and then, things would speed up, and we'd work up to a blistering two or three miles per hour crawl. That last "half hour" of our trip took us nearly two hours. No wonder Bingley was whining...and he wasn't the only one.
First we worried this must be some horrific traffic accident, and I silently prayed for the occupants of the cars. But aways up the road, we finally came to lots of signs and orange cones alerting us that this was apparently all due to some kind of road construction. "Wow, they must be building the Hoover Dam or maybe another Disney World up there in the road ahead to have this kind of traffic, " we laughed (sort of).
And then we saw it: the final sign that said something to the effect of "Caution: Highway Trash Pickup." Sure enough, after waiting, sitting, and barely moving for an hour and a half, we arrived at the place where they had moved two lanes into one (why on earth this created such a traffic jam is still a complete mystery as this highway doesn't have all that much traffic). And there was a truck and a couple of guys chatting and absentmindedly looking for trash.
Now don't get me wrong. Removing trash and cleaning up the highway is a wonderful, noble thing to be doing. But how in heavens name was it causing this much of a backup? I still don't get it. Not to mention, we're not talking about the Jersey Turnpike here...this highway already looks mighty pristine if you ask me. But maybe that's because they have such a vigorous, traffic-stopping trash removal system.
The good news is--in addition to the clean highway--we finally arrived at our destination! Thank You, Lord! And I'm sitting here looking out over God's magnificent creation and feeling both thankful...and convicted. Thankful to be here. Thankful for the Lord's glory and beauty reflected all over this world He fashioned out of His goodness and power. Thankful to be able to see, smell, feel, touch, and simply marvel at all He has made. Thankful for the people He has so extravagantly and graciously put in my life. Thankful that I can sit here with His Word beside me--the very words of Almighty God to breakfast upon this fine June morning. I could go on and on.
But also convicted by my all-too-often failure to be relentlessly thankful to such a infinitely good and great Father. All too prone to focus on what I don't have rather than grateful for what I do. Too quick to selfishly go my own little way rather than seeking to walk with God in humility, dependence, and joyful gratitude. And just like yesterday, all too easily falling prey to complaining over a bit of waiting on a highway rather than thanking God for the privilege of spending time with those I love and headed to a place I love. Geez.
Thank You Lord for grace...forgiveness...love...and the joy of walking with You. Thank You for how worship and thanksgiving realign our minds, renew our perspectives, and fill our hearts with joy. "Giving thanks always and for everything to God." (Eph.5:20)
Thank You, Father, for getting me "up to high mountain" and giving me a higher, holy view of You. Thank You for Your mountain view, rather than my "me" view.
To God be all the glory.
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