With the invention of the car, a whole new era of pioneering began in
America. Up until that time, for many years anything west of the Mississippi
was considered to be the west. An untamed territory, where no real civilized
person had any right to be, and even less desire to go. But things were about
to change in a big way. A westward push would begin, and the western part of
our US of A was about to change, and about to change how people live, think, and
travel.
Peering across the mighty Mississippi, there would be no road to follow
once the ferry deposited them on the other side. Where today we would turn up
the ac, the heat could be deadly. And rain could stop them in their tracks for
days. Travelling north through Salt Lake City, every spring the lake would
raise up over its berm, flooding any progress of a new road. Coming to
California across a desert with shifting sands, would hide the yet to come plank
highway. No signs, so earlier pioneers would leave landmarks with directions.
No AAA yet to guide you. San Francisco was the desirable California
destination, no reason to go to a pre-Hollywood LA. And no way to get over the
yet uncompleted Ridge Route separating them until 1917. They actually wanted
California separated into two states at Tejon Pass. How many crossed the
Rockies, only to find a sight such as the Rio Grande Gorge separating them from
any further westward movement, 50 miles in either direction. It took faith, a
strong will to succeed, and perseverance. It took a humility of being rescued
by a horse when stuck, and paying heavily for it. So it wasn't for the faint of
heart, or wallet. And weeks that could turn into months once they set out.
What it took was a vision, and the desire to follow it, no matter what. To stay
the course, and beat the odds. There may be some recognition at the end, or
ridicule, but keeping the vision alive was the reason many pressed on. And the
reason many of us still do today.
We are told that "the people die for lack of a vision." For without a
promise and a direction from God, life has no meaning. For like so many early
travelers, we get discouraged, and quit the first time things get tough. And
blame God, this isn't what we were promised. Yet it is exactly what the Bible
tells us. We get impatient waiting for the mud to dry, and frustrated when this
new invention called concrete, which goes on liquid and then gets hard, will
turn brittle under the weight of traffic, making travel even worse. We get
frustrated when not following the directions we are told, or worse yet finding
them inaccurate and getting stuck. We are ill prepared for the unknown, and
have to trust people, who will inevitably let us down. And many just turn
around, and suffer the agony of defeat, taking a lesser road, and live with the
fact they should have stuck it out. Finding the safest, correct route is not of
their own understanding, but rather found in obedience to God.
Today all of us will encounter a difficulty on the route we choose to
follow. Some will quit, some complain and carry on, and some will persevere
just because. Why not choose the path that God has chosen for you? Ask Him for
a vision, and let Jesus set your course. Ride at His pace, and let Him guide
you. It is OK to wait, or rest, for He knows what lies ahead, sometimes a
simple thing like a stop sign has kept me from disaster ahead. But it takes a
vision. Then trusting God with that vision, and then acting upon it in
obedience. It takes a commitment-God is already committed to you, are you
committed to Him? And it takes patience, and sometimes perseverance. We may
give up on ourselves, but never quit on God!
Yet some will choose to ignore God, to stay a safe route, never leaving the
house. And they will get old very fast. The rest of us will age, but still
maintain a young attitude. You see we don't quit riding because we get old, we
get old because we quit riding. And so it is with God. A true pioneer sees the
obstacle and begins to figure a way around it. Those who follow God see the
same obstacle, and ask Him to take them through it. The ones who stay home
never get the the thrill of a victory with God.
Highway 50 across Nevada is billed as the "Loneliest Road in America."
Don't let your life be like that. Follow the vision God has given you. Hills,
deserts, storms, and rivers-He will help you navigate them. And be an
encouragement to others. Don't let your life be a constant day of freeway
exits-get on God's road and stay on it. The loneliest road will always be the
one without God! With apologies to the Apostle Paul, "He who began a new road
in you, will be faithful to complete it!" Don't be the one who is so blind that
he will not see.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
