Recently Cathy and I drove to Mt Baker. The drive up the mountain became a metaphor for life's journey. Never having been on that road, each mile on that long, beautiful, breathtaking, winding road was new.
There were dangerous hairpin curves. To misjudge those turns would mean death.
There were "falling rock zones." To go forward meant risking a falling rock. I could have stopped and gone back. Like life, what happens and why is often a mystery. You can live a good life and die young. Live a bad life and prosper. Rocks fall on the just and unjust.
To add to the metaphor others were driving down the road. At times, we met on those hairpin curves.
As carefully as I was driving, if they, in a moment of carelessness, crossed the centre line it might mean the end of my life. We are hostage to the choices others make.
Scott Peck said it many years ago, "Life is difficult." Who or on what can we depend? The next day I presided at a memorial service. A gifted singer provided the answer. I had heard the well-worn hymn many times but in that moment, I heard it in a new way. "When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me." Thank you God for the gift of Jesus.
Jim Short can be reached at [email protected].
