Cheryl and I just enjoyed an eleven day, 4500 mile, ten
state, and four national park post-graduation trip with our son Philip over the
last several weeks. Here are my ten lessons or observations from our time
together.
1) Life in
the Water
Because much
of our trip was through high desert, the value of water became especially
apparent. It gives life; precious is not too strong of an adjective. “… whoever
believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)
2) Light of
the Son
The western
high desert states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico have bragging rights for
beautiful sunsets. The light of the sun – from sunrise to sunset to shadow –
washing the Grand Canyon is a true visual feast. “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John 8:12)
3) Joy in the
Journey
University
of New Mexico commencement speaker Kyle Stepp warned his fellow graduates of “destination
addiction.” Every rotating mile of the odometer reminded me of the biblical
priority and beauty of continual joy. An experience may be repeated, but a
moment is had but once. The sunset on the north rim of the Grand Canyon on
Wednesday, May 18 with Cheryl and Philip was extraordinarily bright, beautiful,
and memorable. We were there; we did not miss the moment. “Oh, taste and see
that the LORD is good….” (Psalm 34:7)
4) Next
Generation Sizzle
The
graduation ceremony at UNM (congrats to our nephew Christopher) was a fresh
reminder to me of the enthusiasm of their generation. They have sizzle.
Question for me: “Do I love, encourage, seek out, befriend, and create space
and opportunity for 20-somethings?” Do any 20-somethings besides my own
children know that I truly love them and are interested in their future? “So
even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your
might to another generation, your power to all those to come.” (Psalm 72:18)
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| 20-somethings of the next generation - Philip, Valerie, Chris & Evan |
On the last
two days of our trip I had an epiphanic appreciation for the US interstate
highway system. Perhaps 85% of our miles were on these “old roads” – not glorious
but reliable, non-descript but serviceable. The “old truths” of Scripture are
what transport us faithfully from one season of life to another: God’s character,
the person and work of Jesus, the Cross, our union with Christ, the certainty
of our salvation, etc.
6) Traveling
Partners
Cheryl,
Philip, and I shared the trip as traveling partners. We saw the same things. In
the future, we will not need to relay the details of the trip but only retell
them to one another. With whom am I
intentionally traveling the Christian life? Or am I always traveling alone,
forever partner-less? “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell
in unity.” (Psalm 133:1)
7) Quest for
Transcendence
People-watching
at four national parks reminded us in a hurry that human hearts have a quest
for transcendence. Young and old, North Americans, Europeans, Asians, South
Americans, poorly outfitted or “dressed to the nines” – all were willing to
hike three miles and over 500 feet up to see Delicate Arch at Arches National
Park near Moab, Utah. And then we sat down and looked at it. “Isn’t it amazing?!”
On the way back, we encouraged those still hiking to Arches’ most famous arch –
“only two hundred more yards!” Do I acknowledge my neighbors’ quest for transcendence
as one made in the image of the Living God? Yes, he or she – like me – is rebellious,
dead in sin, and spiritually non-responsive apart from the Spirit’s work. But,
do I extend invitations like David in Psalm 34:7 “Oh, taste and see that the
LORD is good”?
8) Creation
Wonder
The creation
is the general revelation of God (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:19-20). It reveals God’s
nature and bears witness of Him to us. Three days in Mesa Verde, Arches, Zion,
and Grand Canyon National Parks helped stir in us a pungently fresh wonder of
His creation in its beauty, order, diversity, and wisdom. River running through
canyon bottom, freshly bloomed flowers splashed yellow against tawny desert
backdrops, desert bighorn sheep perched precariously on Zion’s mountain, or
multi-strata hues on endless canyon walls – all shout of His creation wonder.
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| Taken at the Navajo Bridge at Marble Canyon, east of Grand Canyon' |
9) Like we
never left
As we spent
two nights with friends from past years, I was reminded how sweet (not in a
sick way) it is to just pick up the narrative of life with friends you have not
seen in some time. It is like we never left. “Now, where were we?” Our unity
and comfort is not grounded in the fact that we have spent countless hours together
or lived in the same town as of late. Ties run deeper; we know each other and
have shared some life together. But most important is the embrace that we are
forever united together in an altogether gracious Savior.
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| Reyes family in Tennessee |
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| Us with Don & Gail - faithful servants of Jesus wherever God takes them |
10) I still
need Jesus.
A week and a
half of 24/7 together with my wife and younger son underscored to me know much
I need all the benefits of the cross. My capacity for impatience, selfishness,
irritability, and pride were on full display in all their ugliness. I discovered
there is little place to hide my sinfulness for 264 hours in a Toyota Sienna or
a $79/night motel room with two queen beds. Cheryl and Philip were stuck with
me. Praise Him that Jesus has stuck with me as the “friend who sticks closer than
a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) Up close and in-your-grill living on a road trip
showed me how I need fresh supplies of God’s grace in Jesus.
