Winter in Colorado means snow, and lots of it. Driving for Coca Cola in
the 80’s, I worked out of Durango, and spent many a day on snow covered roads.
We drove without chains, not required, they figured if you live there you knew
how to drive, and I somehow got out and back home every day. No snow days back
then, you went to work. But in the winter my route would still take me to Rico,
Colorado, a wide spot in the road between Telluride and Dolores, and strangely
enough a destination before Telluride became known for snow, the skiing type
that is. Until then, it was drugs, drugs, and more drugs, with no other reason
to go there. And Rico had dwindled down to about a dozen residents, for at
8825’ it sat at the base of Lizard Head Pass, the only way north. A beautiful
ride in summer, riding the Loop including Million Dollar Highway, this 250 mile
day ride was a rush, but driving in winter with little or no traffic, it became
scary. But the Coca Cola had to be delivered, and so I went. One restaurant in
town then, The Galloping Goose, affectionately named after the narrow gauge
trains specially built for winter. And so the day was planned for my delivery
one January day...
Rico sits on a slant, off camber to racers, and points downhill on the
northern edge where the restaurant was. The delivery procedure was get there,
walk down the street to the trailer where the owner lived, she would let you in,
make your delivery and go. Open only on weekends for skiers on the way to
Stoner Lodge, this was the procedure. So arriving I went by her house, she
nodded give her a few minutes, 30 in Rico talk, and she would come and open up.
So I went and parked in front of the restaurant, and waited, engine running to
keep warm. On warm days in January it got up to zero, and the wind blew. I was
sitting off camber, pointed up, when the truck started to roll backwards. With
the parking brake on! Trying to steer where I couldn’t see, the steering wheel
spun aimlessly on the ice, and I was heading for a creek down a 20’ drop, with
only a phone booth between me and disaster. I had skidded down about 25’ when
suddenly the truck stood up on its right side, a curb buried in snow had stopped
me, and then it landed with a thud. Glass bottles rattling but none broken.
Nerves shattered but none broken. I came to rest against the phone booth, and
had almost taken it out, only a six inch curb had stopped me from sliding
further. Shaken, not stirred, I made my delivery, and headed back down the
mountain, to lower levels, never going below 6500’ that day. A big deal, but no
big deal there, but how things change, and Rico has changed too, now trendy and
with three restaurants, but no Galloping Goose. Maybe I have too.
Sliding backwards had gotten my adrenaline running at warp speed, and
totally out of control I had no direction, and could do no better than to hold
on. 15,000 pounds of truck and Coke sliding in the balance, and a 6” curb
protected me. Sounds strange such a low curb could stop such a big truck, but
little things can trip us up as well. And cause us to slide backwards,
backsliding we call it. Falling away from God, and going back to our old BC
days. And we all do it, some to greater extents than others, but even thinking
a sinful thought causes it according to scripture. Sometimes we catch
ourselves, sometimes others remind us, and sometimes we just continue spiraling
down, neglecting the consequences for our actions. Sometimes we become bitter,
then caught in sin, we don’t look ahead, or back, our eyes only on ourselves
instead of Jesus. Scripture tells us he never leaves us or forsakes us, and
that snowy morning in Rico he was there with me, providing a curb to protect
me. Just inches from disaster, he caught me, and stopped by sliding backwards.
Works in our daily walk too. God will put others in our way to guide us out, to
show us where we have gone wrong, and to love us back. As a family we need each
other to be strong and loving, because it can happen to us at any time. And he
forgives, once and for all, although as our hearts change, e recognize our sin,
and ask forgiveness again. We want to be clean in front of our Lord, and a
contrite spirit and a broken heart God will not deny. So get over yourself, and
go on with Jesus. Don’t look back, and keep focused on him. That day in the
truck I was all alone, but yet he was with me. He had provided a curb just 6”
high, but enough to save me. Remember it is in the little things that God
appears, not just the big ones.
When the law couldn’t save us, God sent his only son so we could be saved.
Simple theology, a simple gospel. Yet we build walls around us higher than we
should, thinking it protects us, but really to keep Jesus out. No walls should
stand between you and God, Jesus has removed the sin that stood between us and
a loving God, but you will slide from time to time. Sometimes we have time to
steer into the skid, sometimes a snow bank saves us. There are no snow banks to
protect us from hell, only Jesus keeps us out. No man made or natural barrier
can stand against him, and he stands for you. Nothing can separate us from his
love, yet many will try. And in every trial, test, tribulation, and skid, he is
there to bring us back. Somehow he makes all things work together for our
good. Both good and bad.
So next time you think of a cold Coca Cola, think of Rico, below zero, lots
of snow and ice, and a backslider saved by curb and a snow bank. But really
saved by God’s grace, and a testimony to share some 30 years later. You may be
off the road, stuck in the snow, and sliding fast out of control, call upon the
name of Jesus. Backsliders take heart, he forgives and loves you. Welcome
back, again, and again, and again....for we all fall short of the glory of God
daily. But aren’t you glad his love is more than our sin, and only requires
calling to to him? Believe in your heart, and let others know Jesus saves.
Some people think that Jesus is way out, when really he is the way out.
Experience his saving grace today, he died for that right so you don’t have to.
Forgiven and saved by grace. Rico, Colorado giving a whole new spin on ice
cold Coke. Jesus rescues backsliders, let him rescue you today.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com