Trip so far: 62hr 21min, 4172.4 mi
Friday: 9:30am CST to 10:59pm CST
These days in Des Moines were full of encouragement: as former classmates of ours, Dave and Danielle gave us many new ideas for our future work even as we tried to fill the same role for them. We spent time doing many fun things together, and made memories that will last for years. Dave’s parents were the most hospitable hosts imaginable, and we are grateful to have met such warm and friendly people!
Today’s drive took us south through a corner of Missouri (I thought we weren’t going back there for a while?!), and then west into Kansas. The final 30 minutes of driving ended with our arrival in the Oklahoma panhandle (again – didn’t we just leave this state?!), and an imminent night of well-earned sleep.
An interesting note – I was pulled over today for speeding! During our last hour of driving we missed a 30 MPH speed sign (after a 45 zone), and I was quite legitimately ticketed. We were discouraged, because we’d been trying so carefully to watch for speed signs… but not five minutes after pulling out, we were pulled over again for the same reason! This time, I’d missed a 45 MPH sign shortly after a 55… and we were grateful that the officer was highly sympathetic to these non-locals upon hearing the story! Needless to say, Amy and I were both glued to anything remotely resembling a speed sign for the final 20 minutes of our drive.
This pair of incidents reminded Amy and I of a very practical truth – that no matter how intentional we are about obeying the law, we are always apt to fail! My failure tonight came despite my specific effort to drive the right speed… and then was repeated, despite the fact that being pulled over left me more aware of my speed than ever!
The Christian life is no different. Just as before I put my faith in Christ, I cannot keep God’s Law in and of myself. My best efforts mean nothing, because as Paul wrote in Romans 7:18, “I have the desire to do good, but I cannot carry it out.” This did not change when I was saved – I need to rely on Jesus just as much now as I ever did before He redeemed me! Praise the Lord that He has indeed provided everything I need in Christ to live a Godly life… I have only to come to Him in His strength rather than trying to stand on my own.
Anyways – that was just a little application Amy and I discussed tonight… as we drove ten MPH under the rest of the way to our hotel. 🙂 Tomorrow brings another 10-hour road day as we cross Texas (the short way), New Mexico, and arrive in Arizona for the evening.