Texas. Refueling somewhere between Dallas and Houston, at an intersection I don’t know the name of. Wind is wagging the red, white, and blue lone star tail of a windmill and twirling its nose while rain pummels the warm cement. It’s the kind of wet you can smell in your inner cheeks: as if you just brushed your teeth with mushrooms and loam. Back on the road, I gain a brief perch on an overpass and view toothpicks of telephone poles dotting dirt roads over heavenly-green hills—I can nearly hear droplets slip down each blade of grass to be sipped up by bluebonnets. So, Texas does have spring!
Majesty. This intricate creation seeps into my lungs as I hold my breath. I usually dive into worshiping God for His creativity and awesome power in commanding all the forces of nature and thankfulness for allowing me to witness it all, and I do this time, too. That’s easy, but today there’s a tension in my spirit. Leviticus 25:23 comes to mind, where God says: “’….the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants.’” The footnotes in my Bible linked this verse to the concept of ownership versus stewardship. God is the Owner; I’m merely a steward of any resources He allows me to manage. I think of the story of the master and his evaluation of his servants’ faithfulness to responsibly invest his resources during his absence, declaring, “‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!'” (Matthew 25:14-30). And I crave to hear these very words said about me.
Lord Jesus, I often take a selfishly possessive or lazy attitude with what You give me, but I know this is wrong and I don’t want to be like that. I ask for Your forgiveness and for You to transform me into Your likeness, that You would make me stand as Your faithful servant (Romans 14:4). I pray this also for my teammates and any who are called by Your Name, that You would show Your love in and through us as we humble ourselves to lovingly serve each other and those You send us to. Thank You, Lord, for Your love and transforming grace!
*Please note: While this photo was not taken while driving, but on a separate occasion and in a different location (still in Texas!), it reminds me of what I saw.*
