Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look.
Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’
Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’
The rain poured like cats and dogs as I drove in heavy traffic on I 95 north toward New Smyrna Beach, Florida, shark capital of the United States. With four lanes of traffic surrounding me, I began to pray, asking the Holy One for His angels to protect all drivers sharing the road space. I found myself behind a semi truck. As I put my hazard lights on and kept my eyes locked on the red beacon of light glowing from the back end of the semi, I drove slowly, cautiously, focused on following the light. When the rain let up, I stayed behind the truck, aware that the sky remained dark and ominous; we were not through the cats and dogs yet. As I kept my eyes on the back of the truck ahead, I noticed the cross. Looking closer, I realized I was seeing the message of salvation!. As I pondered the irony of my being behind a “Jesus truck,” memories flooded my mind.
While living in the Finger Lakes New York area, winter weather driving conditions can be just as hazardous as the rainy season in tropical Florida. Many nights, I drove home after working long shifts at Maxwell Hall, a halfway house for those recovering from addictions. Working the 3 to 11pm shift put me on the road after most folks were safe in their warm, comfortable homes in the dead of winter. One night, driving home was especially hazardous. A blizzard was raging, rapidly dumping snow from the dark skies above causing the lanes n the road to be hard to differentiate As I drove the hour-long drive home, the snow flew hard at my windshield, creating a dangerous whiteout condition. I lost control of my car when two semi-trucks sped by my vehicle as they both headed in the opposite direction. My car spun in circles, out of control. I cried out to God (Yahweh), and immediately the car stopped careening toward a gully. (Most of the time, those trucks were my guardian angel, guiding me home.)
A few years later, I was employed at another recovery halfway house, Grace House. Working the 5 to 11pm shift, then the 10 pm to 9 am put me on the road either driving to work late at night or home after work, again, late at night. The driving conditions were hazardous as the visibility was minimal. I often drove behind trucks, their bright red taillights providing me with a light in the darkness. A beacon of light, a path in the darkness.
As a recovering addict/alcoholic myself, I needed a beacon of light out of my darkness. I found it in Jesus Christ (Yeshua), Light of the world. I found it in the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, and other 12-step programs. The ancient path of the scriptures was AA’s foundation before the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. I found it in working with a qualified, skilled therapist that could set my crooked thinking and damaged emotions straight. I found it in books written by trauma survivors and professionals, and fellow sojourners, those that had walked the path before me. But, best of all, I found it in His arms, wrapped around me, leading me, guiding me out of the blindness of religion, of generational trauma, generational iniquity, idolatry, Freemasonry, witchcraft, and rebellion.
Just like those trucks were my saving grace in my time of need as I drove in hazardous conditions, whether in the north or the south, He has been my beacon of light both out of the darkness of drug addiction and spiritual blindness.
When I was ready, He offered me the ancient paths, and I chose to walk them, regardless of my ancestors' saying, "We will not walk in them. "
Do you feel alone, has life taken you down dangerous paths, storms, darkness, and left you spinning out of control? Call on Him like I did in my car that night…
Redeemer, Restorer, Deliverer, Light in the Darkness!
