Lesson from the mountain, part 2

Coming back I decided to backtrack and see everything heading from the opposite direction to see what, if anything I'd missed. Again, the day was gorgeous and I was stopping almost every time there was a scenic overview. I decided to try to take more pictures and so was playing around with the camera a lot more too. A couple of hours in, I began to notice that the sky in the west was getting cloudier -- dark, deep, full of rain clouds. Now, at this point I had to make a decision: continue the drive the way I was, with multiple stops, understanding that at some point I'd be driving the mountains with the top up and in the rain, or forgo the picture taking and try to get down the mountains before the rain got there. Don't know why, but I decided to run for it.

For a good stretch, the road kept me on the west side of the mountains, so I could see what was coming. The clouds were getting darker and uglier by the minute and I expected the downpour to begin at any moment. I thought for sure I was going to get wet. True, at one point it did sprinkle a little, but then the road went to the other side of the mountain. Suddenly, there were no clouds in site, the sky was clear and the sun was shining bright. I began to rethink my decision until I realized that to go to the other side was to face the rain. It occurred to me that I didn't have to outrun the rain any more, that there was even a good chance that the mountain would block the rain completely. That's when things began to hit me.

Where would I rather be, on the side where I can see the rain coming and prepare for it or on the other side, not knowing the rain is coming BUT also where the rain might never come? And, if it is going to rain, is it better to know the rain is coming or to enjoy the beautiful sky that much longer until the rain actually hits? After having the time to think about it, my answer would have to be that I would want to be able to enjoy the sun as long as possible. Knowing that there was rain headed in my direction caused me to change my course, created a certain amount of uncertainty, and caused me to begin to doubt the direction I was going. I didn't even realize the full impact until it occurred to me that the rain might not actually come my way at all -- I was reacting to something that looked bad that might but actually hadn't happened yet. And, as it turned out, it never did.

When we go through life, we travel the path that God sets out for us. We can face that path focused on the One Who created it for us, Who acts as our Guide, or we can spend our time looking on the other side of the mountain, where all the darkness is, and worry about what might be. God has called us to follow Him, regardless of what the weather may hold. And, to worry about what might be is to say that we don't trust God's plan or His path for our lives. When you're on the journey, enjoy the journey. Enjoy the One Who called you to that journey and enjoy all the blessings He has created along the way. Don't let doubt or uncertainty cloud your view. Keep your eyes on Jesus.