The last time Scott and I had the opportunity to do a road trip together we realized we had forgotten how much joy we gather from driving with one another for long distances.
Truth: We both despise one another’s driving.
He thinks I don’t pay attention, drive too fast, and am reckless. I think the exact same of him. And we love each other despite these fun facts.
On the last lengthy drive together, words might have become pointed as I asked him to pay more attention. He replied, “The last time I rode with you, you were on the rumble strips six times.” He counted. That is never a good sign.
He was right. Yes . . . . I drifted. My defense was that I was driving down Black Mountain and there was some leeway on the side of the road that I was taking advantage of. His argument remained that I was not focused, and my driving was sketchy. He then pointed out how he “never” goes off the road and always keeps it between the lines.
For him, that’s really easy to do because his truck has some “self-correct” feature. When he veers (and he does) . . . it just moves him back to where he needs to be. The mechanics and “brains” of the truck saves him from unexpected shifts.
Life throws all of us unexpected shifts.
Unexpected shifts in our relationships.
Unanticipated events that change the norms by which we live.
Things that cause us to cry out, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Over the next six weeks as we journey to Easter we are going to explore the unexpected shifts we have in life. We will see how the Easter earthquake, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, helps us address them. How we can find the answer to, “My God! Why have you forgotten all about me?”
We may not all have vehicles that “move” us back to where we need to be. But we are offered faith. The Easter earthquake invites us into new creation, new shifts in our being so that we can claim and live into being people of deep faith.
What unexpected shifts are you dealing with that faith could help bring new life and clarity to?
“If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
Hope to see you on Wednesday evening for Ash Wednesday at St. Paul UMC.
7 pm
1037 Cornelius Rd, Mooresville, NC 28117
Grace and Peace,
Andrea