I have gone on short trips before and I am fine having a quiet time, peace of mind, enjoying music and taking in God's beautiful scenery, but this go round was really tugging at me that I would HAVE to travel alone. I didn't make a big deal about it. I didn't try to make arrangements for anyone to accompany me. I talked to God about it and decided to let Him handle me and whatever I was feeling about this particular journey.
Well, I have to tell you, the time came for me to leave my home and I did my usual prayers for safety and sound mind and protection. Peace was upon me. I did make a pit stop 22 minutes later to see my husband at work to say Hello and Goodbye. As I was leaving his work I noticed a rock.
"Big deal." I thought, "It's an ordinary rock." But I couldn't take another step. This rock had me captivated. I'm sure people in the parking lot were wondering why I was standing what seemed like several minutes just gazing upon a rock upon a sidewalk. I then leaned over and picked it up...I put it back down...I picked it back up looking it over...then placing it back down. Still my gaze has not wavered from this rock! Finally, I grip it tightly in my palm and then the realization comes upon me. God IS my ROCK. He is THE rock!
Oh...my...golly!
God Rocks!
In my car, I sit quietly with the rock upon my lap.
As I continued my gaze upon this rock reflecting what it was truly representing, Psalm 18:2 CEB came to mind, "The Lord is my solid rock, my fortress, my rescuer. My God is my rock -- I take refuge in Him! He's my shield, my salvation's strength, my place of safety."
Having this visual reminder I had a shot of unspeakable Joy burst within me and a grin that grew upon wondering face. I gripped that rock into my hand and it fit perfectly even finding a spot for my finger to touch where it appears that it may have been pierced. As I held it I found myself conversing with God and thanking Him for giving me peace that exceeds all of my understanding--keeping my heart and mind safe in Him (Phil 4:7 CEB)
As a believer I know (in my mind) that God is always with me and I know (in my heart) that He dwells within me. But it is easy for me to be uncomfortable when forced to do something that I'd prefer not to do... such as driving alone...in silence...all by myself...for long periods of time...did I say all...by...myself!?! It is in these times that I allow my uncomfortableness, fear, stubbornness, and what have you squeeze out the knowing of God's Presence. His Presence never wavers. He's always there. I, however, am the one who is the wavering one who tends to allows things of my nature to squeeze and push out the Truth of Who God is into a teeny, tiny corner forgetting all of His Wonderfulness, Amazingness, Love and Mercy! It takes moments and reminders like this rock upon a sidewalk to catch my eye to be a reminder to pivot my focus back to where it needs to be, upon God Who is Able and to squeeze and push out my weak, unreliable thoughts.
I have to tell you that this journey has got to be the most brilliant, joyful, and blessed journey I have ever taken. I was very much attentive to God and His presence each and every mile that was passed. Once I decided that I was not alone on this journey that I truly did have a passenger with me and that I could carry on a conversation enjoying all the things that I would in any given conversation but with an abundance of grace added, my perspective changed.
Traffic was light and I had my cruise control set for the majority of the way. There were many places where I was able to even pull off to snap a few pictures of some lovely scenery that really spoke to my heart.
As you can see, the day was beautiful for any journey! As I snapped this picture of trees, I felt God gently speak to my heart from His Word Jeremiah 17:7-8, "...I will bless those who trust Me. They will be like trees growing beside a stream; Trees with roots that reach down to the water, and with leaves that are always green. They will bear fruit every year and are never worried by a lack of rain." What a wonderful reminder as I gazed upon those marvelous strong trees wondering their life story. If only we could know the ups and downs it has endured...the many seasons it has been through and tested. But look at it today. Solid. Strong. Lush and green. The times it may have been a shelter to those seeking it. Beautiful. It has always been on that stretch of road that I've driven on so many times before yet this day I am stopped to reflect that I, too, will be blessed by placing my trust in a Promising God.
Continuing on my journey, traffic picks up a bit and it appears to be larger type vehicles and I'm not one of them. My heart begins to pitter-patter...boy, oh, boy, nervousness sets in quickly...but then I glance over and there on my console I see the rock and I'm reminded of God's Presence. So as I grab it and place it beneath my thigh I say a quick prayer and tell God that He's the One doing the driving because literally I'm too nervous to be the one doing it so I'm just along for the ride!
OK, let me explain a bit to give you an idea of what I was dealing with. There is a stretch of road that is a bit winding and a bit hilly with two sometimes three lanes each way. At some points there is a concrete divider in the middle and then on the outer lanes it may be a ledge leading far down or a large hill top. On these roads are vehicles that mostly go above the posted speed limit without fear of the twists or turns that loom ahead! The other vehicles sharing the roadway is large semi-trucks usually with full loads and going at a tortoise speed. So on one lane vehicles are passing with a blur and on the other it's as if I'm the blur to them! Picture painted? Now you know the need for me to be reminded of God's presence and Him having to do the driving?!
Well, it just so happened that all the blurs of vehicles passed by me and now I find myself on a stretch of road that is only two lanes with the concrete divider. Surrounding me there is...count them...TWELVE...semi-trucks! But these semi-trucks are not traveling at a tortoise speed...they believe they could travel faster so they did! I'm in the fast lane passing one, two, three, four, five...oh...my...goodness, God!! Just how many are there? Twelve, remember?! Now I notice that two semi-trucks get behind me. Alright. But, wait. There's a speedy guy who thinks he must be super-fly so he jets out in front of me in his semi-truck. Now this gal in her little vehicle is completely surrounded by these overgrown semi-trucks who are too big for their wheels!! Oh, my goodness! I take deep breaths breathing Jesus in and all the stress out!!
But here's the really awesome part...I grasp the steering wheel super tight, but not so tight that my knuckles turn white and as I do I feel the peace of God come completely over me. I have that rock pressing under my thigh as a gentle reminder. Fear for a split second tries to adhere upon me but it does not stick. God whispers His loving kindness to me reminding me that it may appear hopeless and very frightening to be surrounded by large and unknowing things on a path that is very much like that of a roller coaster. But not to loose hope because of what Psalm 32:7 ESV says, "You are a hiding place for me, You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance." I felt God singing over me as He guided me in and through these "giants" that surrounded me for miles and miles up and down...left and right. Not once during this winding route did I get a chance to break out from their surrounding but never did I NOT feel the Presence of God. Zephaniah 3:17 ESV was brought to the forefront of my mind and my heart during this time, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." Let me just say I was refreshed, hopeful and confident that I would get through this unpleasantness! Just in everyday living, I need to be reminded of this, that no matter how large, how scary, how upside down a situation or circumstance may be God is literally in the driver seat I just need to grab hold of the Truth fixing my eyes upon Him and placing my weight down on it. He will see me through.
The bends in the road and the steepness of the hills were beginning to level out and the semi-trucks that were in front of me the entire way have now made their way over clearing a path for me to pass the remaining semi-trucks. All that I see is straight open road with no other vehicles on it. I pass the rest of the trucks and as I'm passing the last one I reach for the rock and I grasp it in hand and do a victory shout thrusting my arm upward through the opened sun-roof!! Whoo Hoo!! Whoo Hoo!! Thank You, Jesus! We did it!! Whoo Hoo!!
OK, I kind of surprised myself, but then I didn't care because I realized that it was much more than just a car ride. It was a lesson. It was time to spend with God. It was time to go deeper with Him and really be intentional with Him. I thought about it a little more after my victory shout, but something that I thought as a nuisance or a hardship, a problem or a terrifying moment really could have been a time of protection. Being surrounded for a reason. A reason I cannot see or know at the time but can reflect back later to see God's Hand. The reason I say this is because after I did my little jig in my seat and song with God, I looked back in my rear view mirror to check out what those semi-trucks where up to and what their location was. Here's where I realized that this was SO much more! There was not ONE semi-truck behind me! NOT ONE! I was not speeding to get as far away as possible...there was no exit for them to take. There is no explanation other than God, plain and simple!! I don't have an explanation for this other than God can do anything and use anything He wishes to grab the attention of one of His beloved children. He is a relational God and desires for each and every one of us to have a personal relationship with Him whether we have known Him 100 years or even just 1 day. He loves us that much!
Through our times of challenges or struggles we can remain hopeful as we place our trust in God EVEN IF we do not understand or are unable to see an end. James 1:12 CEB reminds us, "Those who stand firm during testing are blessed. They are tried and true. They will receive the life God has promised to those who love Him as their reward." Be encouraged, my friends! Stand firm in God! Place everything that may have you feeling surrounded into His Hands. He will surround you with His love, grace, strength and mercy giving you joy and reason to shout in victory!
This photo is a recreation of my Whoo Hoo!! moment as it would have been unsafe for me to have snapped a photo at the given moment...but if I could have only captured what I had experienced with God on that journey in a snapshot...this would be close. Notice the frenzy hair after that long journey but still a smile, being joy-filled and a grip on my Solid Rock! Whoo Hoo!! Whoo Hoo!!
"But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits." Psalm 5:11 AMP
This rock is only a reminder of what God is. Because the smallness of my mind it takes visual things like this for me to be reminded of the Vastness of AWESOMENESS of God. But I love that He loves me enough and tenderly that He cares enough to share wonderful experiences like this rock with me! He knows me and how I love picture stories so He paints them out for me as we go! Thank You, God! You are good all the time!
Take Care & Be Blessed,
Christy Krezman
Rosette Ministry
