Chasing Tail Lights

It is funny how situations in everyday life can be lessons in disguise.  A few nights ago I was on my way back to camp and experienced one of these moments.  For those of you who have been to Cedarmore you know traveling the windy roads in the middle of the night can be quite challenging.  I began my journey following a car which I knew was heading back to camp.

It did not take me long at all to realize that our driving styles were COMPLETELY different.  I was WAY behind before we had even started our journey.  On our drive through the country side I tried my best to catch up to the vehicle in front of me.  It never failed that EVERY time I would see the vehicles tail lights, I would immediately lose sight of them due to a hill or a sharp turn in the road.

I began the journey feeling quite frustrated.  Why in the world did this car have to go so fast in front of me?  I wanted to be able to follow but I never could get the speed to keep up.  Of course, I would get close at times and think I had made it but INSTANTLY I would lose sight of the tail lights time and time again.

After several minutes of the game of catch up and lose sight I became nervous.  Here I am trying to catch this car, which is IMPOSSIBLE and now I realize I am all alone on these dark windy roads.  I have traveled these roads several times in the daylight, but when night falls everything changes.  I found myself wondering what would happen if a deer came running across in front of me while I was trying so hard to find the strength within myself to catch the lead car?  Or what if I had car trouble?  I didn't have cell phone service, what could I do if something happened?  Who would even know?  There is a great deal of danger along the roads at night that I would never choose to face on my own.

After 45 minutes of frustration, isolation, fear, and worry I was quickly approaching one of the final turns before reaching Cedarmore and what did I notice sitting and patiently waiting at the top of the hill?  The car that I had been trying so hard to catch the entire ride.  It was then that I realized the ONLY chance I had of ever catching up with this car to begin with was if the driver intentionally took the time to stop, wait, and let me catch up.

Why do I tell you this story?  I tell you this because INSTANTLY upon meeting up with the car in front of me I was filled with a peace and a satisfaction that I was safe and on my way home.  This crazy driving experience is a beautiful picture of the Gospel and our relationship with the Lord.

We can drive our hardest and speed heavily toward God using our own strength and determination.  At times we will catch a glimpse of what we think is "safety" or "security" however it will quickly fade.  The magnificent part of this story is that God does not want to have this constant separation and struggle with us.  This is why he sent Jesus.  He was sent to patiently wait...

He chose to make a way for us to enter into a relationship with Him.  Without His willingness to send His son to make a way for us we would still be running a never ending race.  Praise God He has come to us, chosen us to enter into a relationship with Him and there is NOTHING we did to deserve it.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Therefore I do not run like someone running AIMLESSLY;

I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after

I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

It is my prayer that I am not aimlessly running or chasing after headlights that I will never catch.  My faith is firm in the one who has chosen me and now through faith and complete dependence on Him I may run with a purpose.