It has been pouring in our East Texas community for days.  The animals at the zoo are starting to pair up and buy tickets for the next voyage of the Ark.   It is so wet, my wrinkles are starting to develop wrinkles. 

But I guess I don’t mind the rain all that much unless it should threaten my life – and it did.

We were on the interstate, in the middle lane of three busy lanes of traffic.  It was pouring something fierce.   The wipers could hardly keep up.  Two vehicles were passing me simultaneously – one on each side of my car. 

The first was a pickup, I think, and the other was a semi with 113,000 tires (or so it seemed) 

As they passed me, the two of them threw up an ocean of water on my windshield so that I could no longer see the road ahead. 

I am sure that you have experienced this at one time or another.   There is that instant of extreme panic that swallows a person.

My car was moving at 50-60 miles an hour and there were other moving vehicles all around – but I could not see a blasted thing.   I couldn’t brake or pull over.  I dare not even slow down because of those behind me.  I could not make any change without jeopardizing my wife and I.   

I had a snapshot look at the road before I was blinded, so I chose to hold onto the steering wheel and did my best to keep the car following the same course at the same speed I was going.  I was hoping that everyone else was doing the same.

Two to three seconds later, the water cleared, and we were safe and still on course. 

My pounding heart was telling me that I was terrified.   My mind was telling me something more.  The episode served as a metaphor for me.

Many years ago, I chose a path for my life.  Jesus described it this way, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. – Matt 7:14 KJV.   The apostle Paul called it “The Way.”  (Acts 22:14)   I mostly call it “following Jesus.” 

I have been traveling this road for almost 50 years, but I confess that there have been times when my life circumstances have overwhelmed me much as the water on my windshield. 

In my early twenties I had a undiagnosable heath issue that made me useless.   When I graduated from Bible college, I sought a ministry job for the better part of a year but was turned down over 40 times.   

In my middle-aged years, I was beset with unending depression like I had never experienced before.  In my 60’s I was nudged to resign from a job that I loved. 

Those were the biggies, but I must confess that even the lesser trials of life always felt huge to me

Each of those times I felt the inundation that I experienced on the road.  I was blinded.  I could not see the way ahead.  I was tempted to stomp on the brakes, but those following me would be hurt.  I thought about veering off and leaving “the Way” but I couldn’t, after all that Jesus had done for me. 

So, I chose to grip the steering wheel and by faith stubbornly follow the same path.   At times it felt hollow, maybe even insincere but I found some comfort in the words of the apostle Paul who said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”  – 2 Cor 5:7 KJV 

In each case, the wipers finally caught up, the chaos was cleared, and I was safe.  I then traveled on with ease until I encountered the next storm.  And there always was and will be a next storm as long as we are this side of heaven.

For those of you who are inundated at this moment.  May I encourage you to stay the course.  Do not compromise and do not give up on Jesus.   He will guide you through the chaos and when things clear, you will be glad that you held on. 

A PRAYER: Lord in those times I cannot see the way ahead, help me travel on by my faith.