I love music. I love driving down the road and turning up the tunes so loud I can’t hear my own voice singing along (probably a good thing). I get lost in my favorite song and I just coast down the road, wrapped up in my own musical world.
And then I almost run a red light with a police car right behind me. Not good.
Maybe for you it’s not music that gets you enthralled when you’re behind the wheel. Maybe it’s your phone, either for texting or actual talking. Maybe it’s your kids doing their particular kid thing in the back seat. Or maybe it’s roadside signs. Whatever it is, distractions keep you from focusing on the road ahead.
It’s not just the police who tell us to keep your eyes on the road. The Bible warns us too. But in this case we’re talking about the path of righteousness. Isaiah 30:21 says,
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
In other words, that quiet voice you hear, which is the Holy Spirit, is telling you to stay on track, stay focused on God. He leads us so we don’t run head-on into anything, whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually.
But it’s of little use staying focused if you’re on the wrong road in the first place. If you are, you could get horribly lost. I found that out.
Stick To the Road You Know
When I used to drive the chase vehicle for my husband’s hot air balloon ride company, way back in the days before smart phones and Google maps, it was my job to be at the landing site when my sweetie and his passengers would end their flight. Now, contrary to popular belief, a true hot air balloon ride does not just go up and down. That’s a carnival ride, not hot air ballooning. A real flight takes passengers from Point A to any Point B that’s in the general direction of the daily changing wind. Which means that I had better know the roads so I can be at Point B when the balloon lands.
I didn’t know the area all that well when I first started “chasing”. I had to take a few risks, a few guesses. And because of that I sometimes got myself, the crew, and the vehicle (with a trailer behind it) stuck. Or I just plain got lost and wandered around everywhere trying to figure out how to get to that day’s Point B. Oh sure, we had maps, but the pace of building roads was faster than map-making. So sometimes the roads weren’t on the maps, or maybe they never would be anyway because they were just dirty, dusty farm roads that twisted and turned in all directions. I eventually developed my own mantra that has served me well even in my post-ballooning days: “Stick to the roads you know.” I rarely missed being first to the landing field once I figured that out.
Isaiah 59:8 says, “The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; whoever takes that way shall not know peace.” Even Isaiah telling us to stick to the roads you know.
Once you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior and you know you’re on the right road, not wandering around in confusion anymore, it’s a good idea to watch for obstacles and make good choices. Matthew 7:13-14 says,
“Enter by the narrow gate, for the wide gate is broad and leads to destruction, and there are many who go by it. The narrow gate is difficult and is the way which leads to life, but there are few who find it.”
Paying careful attention, avoiding the potholes and obstacles, will help you stay on track in your walk (or drive) with Jesus. Distractions can take your peace from you or, even worse, lead you to destruction like when you’re drifting across the yellow line without realizing it and heading into oncoming traffic. Scary.
Jesus Is Your GPS
When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He said He would send the Holy Spirit, and, “….He will guide you into all truth.” John 16:13. The Holy Spirit is that small, soft voice helping you stay on track. If you listen to Him He will guide you on the roads you know to be true and lead you to the narrow gate that leads to Heaven. He is your personal drivers’ education teacher and travel agent all in one. Just listen and follow Him and you’ll eventually reach your destination.
So, go ahead. Crank up the music. Sing out loud. Enjoy the ride. Just stick to the roads you know. The one that leads to eternity with Him.
