Once again, Michael and I have made an epic journey. Well, its epic for us anyway. A few days back we loaded our children into our little mini van and made the commitment, no turning back, to drive for 15 hours to Grand Rapids Michigan. Its big. Its exhausting. Its surreal.
Typically we leave at 3 AM. Personally, its an unbelievable departure time for this night owl. Along about 6:30, it is still really dark and I’m ready to head back to bed. But we make the promise each time we head out on the road trip to help keep each other awake. A few more gulps of Starbuck’s espresso double shots, some good music and we manage to keep on trucking.
Michael drives the first six hours, that’s how we always roll – and I drive the second leg of the trip after we eat breakfast at Cracker Barrel just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. This year was no different.
One rule that hasn’t changed since we began doing these trips is this : whoever drives gets to pick the tunes. So, I picked out Chris Tomlin’s Glory in the Highest to help keep things festive. As I listened, I was moved by the song, “Light of the World,” sung by Matt Redman. “Jesus, full of grace and truth, shine on us…”
How I needed to hear those words!
Recently someone asked me a difficult question. A gut wrenching question. “How far does God’s grace cover us when we make foolish decisions?” A friend was making choices that seemed so far from the truth I’ve come to know. And I wrestled. I tossed and turned at night. I was sick to my stomach…
Jesus, by His grace and truth, is the LIGHT of the world. He illuminates the darkest, furthest, corners, eliminating doubts and fears, undoing the devil’s plans for destruction and evil.
As I drove my part of the trip, I came to understand something so true for my friend’s life and my own as well. Jesus, the son of God did not come to earth, shining brightly, offering himself as a gift, so that I would have to earn that same gift with my actions.
How far does God’s grace extend? It extends as far as His Son’s bright light shines. We cannot undo it. We cannot deserve it. He has revealed Himself to us with the brightest glory and no one can diminish it. His grace and truth will never be extinguished.
As I traveled along I-69 outside of Indianapolis, I knew once again, Jesus will bring glory to himself, shining His light of truth onto the dimmest places on my path. And the tears came- tears of joy for this holy, indescribable, unspeakable gift- for the Word who became flesh, full of grace and truth.
He is the Light for my Journey.
amen.
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These are the words, by Chris Tomlin, that I heard while driving. Praise God, for this light that shines!
Oh Jesus, son of God, so full of grace and truth
The Father’s saving word, so wonderful are You
The angels longed to see and prophets searched to find
The glory we have seen revealed
You shone upon the Earth but who will understand?
You came unto Your own but who will recognize?
Your birth was prophesied, for You were the Messiah
Who came and walked upon the Earth
Your glory we have seen, the one and only King
And now You’re living in our hearts
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
In You all things were made and nothing without You
In Heaven and on Earth all things are held in You
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood You shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
Light of the world, light of the world
Light of the world, You shine upon us
And yet You became flesh, living as one of us
Under the shadow of the cross
Where, through the blood you shed
You have made peace again
Peace for the world that God so loves
daily portion 