You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse (husband) knows the way to carry the sleigh (minivan) through the wide and creeping traffic.
Like many of you, we traveled “home” for the Thanksgiving holiday. The home I am referring to is the house of my parents, where my sisters and their families all converged for the traditional feast. We gathered around the table(s) as one big family.
Typically I don’t mind driving and helping out during the daylight hours (we have a rather long drive). However, I have never really liked driving at night. This trip I asked my husband if I could take the late shift so that I could get some work done on the way while it was still light. I thought it would be fine since we were going home and I knew the way well, even in the dark.
It is like our journey to our heavenly home. For some it’s a longer drive than others and sometimes in life we are left driving in the dark. The night can be lonely and sad, filled with sickness and grief leaving us longing to be home already. It’s in these dark times that it’s comforting to remember we really do know the Way home. I heard a preacher say, “Don’t forget in the darkness what you’ve learned in the light.”
When night falls around me, I know the way to the throne of God through Jesus. He is my great high priest who sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for me. I can boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence to find help in my darkness, my time of need. Through prayer, I can find my way home even in the blackest of nights and in the most dismal of circumstances.
I know my way through the darkness to His Word that promises never to return void. In fact, His Word is sometimes the only light I have. It is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. It is going to light my way for however long this journey takes. His Word reminds me that His ways are higher than my ways and to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. I am reminded that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and He is the light of the world. In Him there is no darkness at all! The Word is the light. I have to remember to open it when I’m in the dark.
When I am left driving home in the dark, it is His peace and His love that bring me comfort on my journey. More than anything, though, it is His Presence I desire most. I know that He is with me and I am never alone even when there appears but a glimmer of hope left.
If you see me taking a wrong turn or going the wrong direction on this journey, don’t be afraid to point me back to the Way, the Truth and the Life. Maybe I’m driving in the dark. Remind me of where I am going and Who is going with me.
This life is only the journey. The destination is our true, heavenly home, our Father’s house. One day we will gather as a family, the family of God, around His banquet table for the greatest feast we have ever known. And then we will truly be home.
Epilogue
I hated driving in the dark! I couldn’t see anything. There was construction and unplanned detours that I was not anticipating on our drive home. The road had dull temporary striping and I couldn’t see very far in front of me. Knowing the way home doesn’t always mean we like the way home. I’m not trying to minimize the unpleasantness of the dark. Exactly the opposite. It’s when we’re in the dark that we need to remind ourselves of His great Light and seek His light, seek Him with all that we have. He will light our way.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths. Proverbs 3:5-6