The Convoy

“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

The Christian lives life in the middle of a long convoy. Let’s compare it to a military experience.

You are in the middle of a convoy in a distant and dangerous land. The lead vehicle is out of sight, and so is the last one in line. You have been on the route so many times that there is nothing new to see. The dust kicked up ahead of you hides much of the view, anyway.

As often is the case, the convoy stops for no apparent reason. The driver of your vehicle slams his hands on the steering wheel and his foot on the accelerator. “We’re outta here!” he shouts, and punches left at an intersection where the rest of the convoy turned right.

What are you going to do? Celebrate with your driver, or scream at him to turn around?

What might happen in “the sandbox” may just as easily happen in the part of our life that we call spiritual.

If we have been a Christian for a while, maybe even for as long as we can remember, the times can come when we wonder if we should try a new route in life. Other paths seem interesting, appealing. Other ways of traveling through life seem to be easier. Following in the path of parents, grandparents, and Christian friends can become boring.

Why not try something different? Why not step out into the unknown? Why not follow the lead of someone who is already steering us onto that new path?

Those who have been downrange know the danger of heading off onto unfamiliar and unsecured roads. The long line of troops already traveling the road ahead in safety is a sign that this is a good way to go.

We live our Christian life in a convoy. The line is so long that we have only heard about those at the front. We have never seen the people called Adam, Abraham, David, and the Apostle John. We just know that they have gone ahead of us on this same path.
And what path is that? It’s the one that follows the footsteps of Jesus. He once said, “I am the Way…” He added, “No one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

Where our Father is—that’s where we are heading. We are trying to reach the safety of our fatherland. The way is dangerous. The enemies are many and mighty. But, this convoy will make it through!

It is an old road. If it is also a familiar road, that is a special advantage. We have already learned of its value. We already know it is safe. And, we absolutely know where this path ends.

Maybe when we get close enough to the end we will be able to hear echoes of those who went before us, now shouting in the celebration of victory.
If not, we need only wait a little longer, only go a few more miles down this path.

Soon we will be gladly joining them.

Written by Pastor Paul Ziemer, WELS National Civilian Chaplain and Liaison to the Military

Saturday night service: 6:00 pm
Sunday morning services: 10:00 am