I spend a lot of time in my car. Unfortunately, my commute to work each day is about 80 miles round trip. In some ways, I enjoy the commute. It allows me time to gear up for my day at work, or gear down on my way home in the evenings. It also gives me some time to myself to think about the topic for the day, whatever that might be. In other ways, I dislike the commute. The wear and tear on my car is great. The aggravation of traffic is unbearable some days. However, the bottom line is I try to make the most of my particular commuting challenges.
During one of my commutes the other day I was noticing how many different types of cars there were on the road, most with only one driver. As I traveled down the miles of Interstate, I saw sports cars and pick-up trucks. I saw motorcycles and tractor-trailers. I saw new cars just off the showroom floor and an old clunker just hoping to make it to the next exit. Each car had a different style and different look. I wondered where they all might be driving? I suspect most were going to work; others maybe on vacation; and others to see family or friends.
After about an hour of driving, I finally arrived at my office. The parking lot was full, as usual, of cars of different styles, colors, shapes, and sizes. It suddenly became obvious to me that each of the vehicles represented a different person, coming from different locations, in a different style vehicle, but all to the same destination—-our office. Despite all the differences, there was one common denominator and that was our place of employment. Once every employee was in the building and began working, it really didn’t matter how they got there. The distance they traveled or the color of their vehicle, or even the route they took, made no difference. The point was that they were there and all working together to make our jobs easier.
How refreshing it is to remind ourselves occasionally that our relationship with Christ is no different. We all come from different backgrounds. We all have different “vehicles” when describing our God-given strengths and weaknesses. Some of us might be outgoing; others shy. Some of us might be great at organizing; others unorganized. Some of us might be compassionate; others less so. Some of us might love the Arts; others the great Outdoors. The style of our “vehicle” doesn’t matter to God.
We also all come from different “routes.” Some of us come from broken homes; others have great families. Others have more formal education; others learn from life itself. Some of us have overcome great adversity; others have yet to face a lot of adversity.
The type of “vehicle” we use in life or the “route” we take in life, to this point, doesn’t matter to God, as long as we arrive at the same location—-the Foot of the Cross.
Where do you see yourself today? If you feel like you’re not worthy to be accepted by Christ, or that you’ve taken the wrong path to follow Christ—-you’re mistaken. Christ will accept you no matter who you are or what you’ve done. All you have to do is ask and believe.
