Just me and Jesus in the dark.

This week I dropped my son off at lacrosse practice about ten minutes from home. It was already dark, and our rural community does not have any street lights. I had something on my mind while driving back, and in my preoccupation I missed a turn. When I discovered that I done so, I calmly reached for my phone to turn on the GPS to get me home.

I had not brought my phone.

The gas warning light was ready to come on any minute. As silly as it sounds, I was lost in the dark just minutes from my house and had no sense of direction.

My first strategy was to just drive for a while thinking I would surely come to a major thoroughfare that I recognized. I drove for miles in the pitch black on curvy rural roads in my little black car, stunned that I live so close to nothing.

My next strategy was to look at the horizon all around to see if I could see any illumination that would indicate a town, providing something to drive toward. I saw no sign of civilization in any direction.

Darkness was  around.

My gas light really began to taunt me now as it was all the closer to turning on when my gauge hit two bars.

So I prayed.

“Lord, it’s just you and me. Get me home.” The last time I prayed like that for a drive home was in a major snowstorm about five years ago. He got me home in my tiny car, passing large vehicles in ditches, crunched vehicles in accidents, and up icy hills as I cried out for protection, fishtailing all the way.

Here we were again.

With concentration, and in tune with my God, I backtracked. I slowed at every road sign to see if I recognized any of the names.

Miles passed.

Suddenly, I saw a street name I knew I had driven on before. I turned.

More miles.

I almost turned around, but kept praying, “Lord, get me home.” Then it happened. I hit a major thoroughfare and knew where I was, still just ten minutes from home still after having looped all over creation in the dark!

What a stark reminder that all we have is Jesus. EVER.

Underneath devices and reliable transportation, I am reminded how much I trust those things to get me places and how many segments of my day pass by when I do not even consider the Lord. I am not yet dependent on Him every second of every day, even after all these years, even though I would tell anyone He is my breath and strength and the source of my confidence.

Conveniences shift our faith away from Jesus.

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

It’s been a long time since I was so thankful to see a gas station. I pulled up alongside the pump with gratitude and humility about His care for me. It’s been a long time since I felt that way at the gas station.

I am going to try to walk with Jesus today, not placing any confidence in myself or gadgets.

How will I know if I am successful? It seems to me that if I am placing my confidence solely in Jesus, my day will be marked by prayers for provision and wisdom as I lean on Him. And my prayers will include gratitude every single time anything works out. Because nothing ever has to work out – EVER – not even a simple drop-off of a child to lacrosse practice.

Want to try living like that today along with me?

Picture Explanation: It’s lacrosse season. I like our school and I love my son.

© 2019 by Oaks Ministries. All rights reserved.