Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
One summer, a church youth camp went to Mammoth Mountain ski resort, legendary for its beauty and grandeur. It's in California's high Sierras and is majestic and breath-taking. I thought of you in this story, because the camp counselor who was driving the teens to their destination realised that she would be driving on Highway 395 for over four hours....four hours with no place to stop, driving a van filled with 14-year-old girls. Ugh.
What's on Hwy 395? Nothing. Aside from the occasional dust devil swirling through the barren miles of dirt, there is nothing to see, nowhere to stop, no radio stations to tune into, and little intelligent conversation to be had.
"I was bored," she said. "The students were bored with my questions, and my constantly asking, "Can you talk a little louder? I've gone deaf from too many years in youth ministry standing in front of speakers." It was a four-hour odyssey of pain.
"Then…finally…we rounded a bend, climbed steeply for three miles, and we saw the peak of Mammoth Mountain peering at us from above the cloud. The air cooled. The sun appeared more spectacular, more serene, and brighter. The mountain range was etched against the horizon like a watercolor painting, resplendent in orange, red and gold. Arriving at Mammoth after driving highway 395 was like departing from hell and entering heaven.
"We got out of the car, stretched, inhaled deeply, and soaked in the beauty. To be honest, I was tempted to drop to my knees and confess that along the way, I had been thinking about where I could bury a few of my students. ;)
"Reflecting on the drive, I relearned something I already knew but always tend to forget. Regardless how challenging the journey, the right destination makes the trip worth it."
This is true in our faith lives as well. The uphill and downhill portions that you travel through life are all worthwhile. The curves and detours of life’s challenges can bring wonderful blessings when we trust in God and allow Him to shape us. The long stretches of normal life are enriched when we encounter the beauty found in relationships with family and friends. The miles you go to build a close, intimate relationship with Jesus is so worth the investment of time and effort.
And one day, arriving in heaven will make the journey on this earth seem like such a short drive...even if your life has been like one long road trip on Highway 395. You'll round a bend, feel a cool, fresh whisper of wind on your cheeks, know you've been raised to a higher elevation.
Until then, keep driving, my friend. We're all in this together.
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