A Change in the Journey

Our pastor gave an illustration this past Sunday that resonated so much with my heart. He began by asking if any of us have ever driven through Kansas in route to Colorado with the longing to see the majesty of huge mountains in the distance. I was reminded of the tiring and long hours in the car, only being kept awake by the rumble strips, as we continued our trek from St. Louis back to Colorado when we were first married. Our pastor had the congregation laughing as he described the painful hopelessness that you begin to feel while in Kansas surrounded by corn and cows. You begin to believe that you will NEVER see the mountains.

BUT then the journey changes. All of a sudden you get a glimpse of the majesty. You see the jutting of rocks into the blue sky and the journey once again becomes hopeful. His words during the sermon were

"Mountains in the distance change the journey!"

How amazing and true! How often we lose hope in the midst of our own sinfulness, the sinfulness in the world, and the sin that is committed against us. But the grace of God gives us hope and as the passage in the sermon reminded us we have the ability (through the grace of God) to say no to sin and yes to life!

Titus 2:11-14

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. ¹²It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Worship this past Sunday was a glimpse of the mountains. It was so refreshing for me to hear the Word of God preached and to worship with other believers. We also enjoyed dinner and great conversation with friends this week. I would say that the Lord blessed me this past week with a view of the mountains to remind me of his amazing grace!

-Linds