I recall a time when I was heading to Edinburgh, Scotland to hook up with my wife and children. This occurred during a five-week pulpit exchange in Lincoln, England. Alane and the kids went up to Inverness on a Tuesday and the plan was for me to leave on Thursday evening, after finiishing my church duties, and meet my family in Edinburgh.
After boarding the wrong train in York I was immediately in a little trouble. However, the train was heading north so I got off at the next stop and hopped on the right train. Looking back on this time I know that I was going down a path that would keep me from reuniting with my family for 5 hours.
After arriving in Edinburgh I was looking for the right bus stop, but I stepped out of the wrong side of the train station. I finally found the bus stop and then waited for a bus that would take me to the bed and break- fast place where my family was comfortably resting.
It started raining and I waited. Finally, a bus with the right route number arrived. I was looking for Dalkeith Road and I asked the driver for verification. He assured me I was on the right bus. This is the moment where things went awry.
I looked out the window to spot Dalkeith road and finally I did, but I know idea where to get off. After a few roundabouts went by I realized that Edinburgh was receding into the distance and I was heading to the village of Dalkeith. I was getting lost in Scotland!
To make a long story short I got off the bus and found another bus with a very helpful driver. He took my beyond his route to take me to another bus that would get me back to Edinburgh. I soon was on my way. I asked the driver to let me know when we got to the street I needed (I finally dug an address out of one of my pockets.) I was dropped off at about 1:00 a.m. on a dark street that reminded me of the were- wolf movies I used watch as a child.
I did eventually find my family and told Alane I would explain my long absence after a good night’s sleep.
I laugh about that experience now. I should have shown the ad- dress to the first bus driver, but since my male DNA prohibits me from asking for directions about where to get somewhere, I couldn’t ask.
I think about our pilgrimage through life. There are certainly misguided steps that are taken and mistakes are made, but by God’s grace eventually a way is found to get back on track. I believe that Bible study and prayer are helpful ways to stay on the right road. In Psalm 1:1-3 it is written,
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.
The psalmist reminds us that meditating on God’s word keep us on the right direction on the road of life. The roots of faith can go very deep through study of God’s word. With such deep roots we can stay true on our life’s pilgrimage. Even if we get off track our faith can guide us back.
We currently find ourselves in the midst of the Lenten season. It is a great opportunity to rededicate our- selves to the study of God’s word, and discover its continued relevance in our lives. Prayer and God’s word will definitely keep our lives fruitful and faithful.
I walk with you through Lent looking forward to the great celebration of Easter.