Traveling Watchdog
If you know me, you know I love to travel. I am up for the short trip, the last-minute trip, the trip with insanely complicated logistics, and the trip that most people would say that couldn’t possibly be worth it. I am all for it. I love to fly, but I do not mind being the driver.1 The one thing I am just not good at it is being the passenger. Today my husband, youngest son and I wrapped up a little trip that was just shy of 2000 miles. That’s a lot of miles for a long weekend, but we had a blast.
Over the summer I did a nine-hour trip with my oldest son and his lovely girlfriend. I sat in the backseat so they could easily converse. At one point my son saw me in the rearview mirror, watching the road intently, looking at the cars and trucks around us.
“It’s like you’re a watchdog,” he said. “It’s exhausting. You might as well just drive.”
I laughed, caught red-handed. That’s exactly what I act like, on guard at all times. My eyes pace the surroundings, and I bark out warnings about hazards I see ahead. I did this for almost 2000 miles since Wednesday afternoon. I am spent, and I’m sure my companions are also quite relieved to have a break from the watchdog.
Maybe you are a relaxed passenger, but I bet you have some area of your life where you are trying to exert control. Maybe you can identify what it is by asking what wears you out?
What is it exactly that is keeping me from peace on road trips? Unbelief that God has it. I cannot fully resign myself that He doesn’t need my help, that my keen situational awareness and faithful warnings are not needed. Yet I do trust Him. I trust God with so many things. I trust Him that He loves me. That I’m forgiven. That although I could never earn it, I am going to heaven when I die because Jesus paid the price for all my sins. I want to believe His plan applies to road trips too, Lord forgive my unbelief.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24
Digging Deeper:
Is there something in your life — and it might be far heavier than anxiety on road trips — where you are resisting God’s sovereignty?
Where have you experienced success in giving a concern to God? Does it help you to admit it and articulate it? Have you asked God to help you overcome your unbelief?
Sadly, I used to be able to drive endless miles, but since I’ve had multiple eye surgeries, I have to be reasonable. My eyes now have a daily limit of about 8 hours.