Pro 4:26 says, "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." (KJV) The Message version says, "Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you."
Now, we all realize that is talking about attitude of life, not literal roads. Roads can be wide and smooth. They can also be narrow and rough.
We took a three day "scouting" trip this week and encountered just about every kind of road imaginable. Costa Rica roads are notoriously bad, so traveling on rough roads isn't all that unusual, but I was impressed at the varity of roads we encountered on this trip.
Here's a brief description and some applications to life that came to my mind as we traveled:
As we left San Jose we traveled through the mountains for several hours. If you've ever driven mountain roads (2 lane, narrow, winding) you know the going is slow. Trucks and/or slow vehicles just bog up the whole thing. You know where you are going, how to get there, and usually, have a scheduled time of arrival. Problem is...things keep getting in your way. There's not much you can do...oh, you can pass on curves and take your chances, but it isn't advisable. The consequences can be disastrous. Patience can be frustrating, but you better learn fast. If everyone else just had the same ability and power for speed that you have, we could all get there a whole lot faster...or...maybe crash and burn together.
Ok, so we made a hard turn to the west and crossed over to the coast highway. Wow ! What a shock. Has to be the best road in Costa Rica...wide, relatively flat, smooth, new. Just sit back, relax, and cruise. If only they could all be like this...
Turned off that road on to the Osa Peninsula. How do I describe that road? Oh, it's paved...well, half paved. At one time it had been all paved, but now only half. Half is an estimate because I didn't actually climb down into any of the potholes and measure them, and the little tape measure Mitzi carries in her purse is only one meter. Maybe if I had measured one, I could have done a little multiplication and come up with a figure, because surely I hit half of them...while deftly dodging the other half. Ok, the road of life application...life is often like that, full of potholes. You do the best you can, but try as you may, some just can't be avoided.
Now back to the great coast highway...We're cruising along, enjoying the ocean vista when abruptly, the highway ends. No warning. Nada. Well, the highway doesn't end actually. The pavement ends. Now we are on...what? Not exactly gravel, not dirt, more a mix of rock and mud. No, this isn't a small break in the highway. This is the continuation of a major thoroughfare for 50 or 60 miles. Application: Better not get too complacent in the easy going. Rough roads are ahead, and usually there isn't any warning that they are coming. Sure, enjoy the good times, but be prepared for hard times. Paul said he knew how to abound and how to be abased. Good attitude for driving and for life.
One last road. Our trip wasn't a pleasure trip exactly. We were working. Of course, Costa Rica beauty isn't a bad place to work. Along the way we wanted to stop at a beach. Just a short stroll maybe. So we picked one of many signs pointing to this or that beach and turned down a dirt (read, mud) one lane road. (No expense is too little for roads in CR...even roads to popular spots.)
I'm talking really just a lane. We debated on whether this was actually the road to Turtle Beach as the sign said, but continued on. After about a quarter mile we came to a stream flowing across the road. I'm a brave soul. Ok, you think I'm going to tell you a story about trying to cross and getting stuck. Nope. I'm also...well...up in age, and am fairly secure in my manhood...don't have much to prove...or have given up trying to prove it. We did the right thing. Turned around and went back. Changed our plans. Went to another beach. It happens. New routes have to be taken. Plans have to be changed.
I lied...I have one more. Just came to me. We continued on, on all kinds of roads...toward home. We even had to take a detour which delayed us a little, but it was ok. We were on the road toward home. A little saddle sore. Everything didn't go as planned, but all in all, it was a good trip. We met some interesting people and made some new friends. And we were sure glad to get home.
You make your own applications. The road of life is varied...often fun and easy, often rough and hard. But all along the way, our Lord rides with us, gives us direction and, when needed, comfort. His word is like a good road map giving us guidance, and his holy Spirit is like a wise navigator.
