Crossings

Recently I was driving into town on a fairly busy segment of highway. As I approached a bridge over a small creek, I noticed something in the road ahead of me. Drawing closer I saw that it was a large box turtle struggling to cross the road.

Had the road not been as busy as it was, I would have stopped and helped the turtle across. I’ve done it before and would gladly do it again. Once I passed, though, the turtle remained on my mind as I prayed that he would make it across safely. I envisioned a horrible scene if the other cars didn’t respond as courteously or attentively, and I dreaded the wave of guilt that would come if I should see the aftermath as I returned home later that evening.

As I drove, I thought and thought about that turtle. I thought about how brave he was to set out on his journey across such a busy portion of highway. I thought about how badly he must have wanted or needed what he saw on the other side to risk such a perilous journey. I even thought about what the other turtles he left behind must have thought as he began his trek across the road, and that his instincts are stronger than his concern for risk.

As I thought, a song played on my radio that caught my attention. As Jeremy Camp sang, “I will trust in You and I will not be afraid,” I saw the parallel between my ambitious amphibious friend and all of us on a journey with the Lord.

Aren’t we all somewhat like that turtle? I know that in my walk with the Lord, there are uncertain times that require bold moves. There are times that my goals and dreams are unattainable but through a difficult and risky path the Lord has set before me. There are times that require courage beyond what I knew I had, and there are times when it’s just best to keep my eyes focused ahead than look to the side and see the things that threaten to steal my dreams. There are people I’ve left behind as I’ve stepped out to do things they couldn’t understand. There are those who breeze by unaware that I’m struggling, just as there are those who want to help me on the way but realize that there’s really not much that they can do. Most importantly, there is One who has asked me to take a risk and go after the dream He has placed in my heart and within my sights.

Moments like that one, driving down the road with a turtle on my mind, make me aware of the commonality of my struggles. While the details of my circumstances are almost certainly unique, the general idea is not. Faith would lose its meaning if it did not require risk and trust. Dreams would lose their meaning if they did not have an object. We would lose them both if we didn’t realize that one requires the other, and we would lose ourselves if we took our eyes off the things that call us beyond where we are now.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I trust in You, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in You will ever be disgraced…Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord, point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. (Psalm 25:1-5)