Hello Friends! Praise God, we (and our cats) made it safely to Indiana. After five days on the road, Grace and I arrived in Indianapolis last Sunday night. We were tired, and are still waiting for our moving truck, but so thankful for God’s protection and provision every step of the way.
We’ve both been struck by the vibrant fall colors all around us, as the trees mark the seasons at their Creator’s bidding. Indeed, one of the highlights of this trip was enjoying the amazing scenery as we drove across three quarters of the country. A lot changes over 2,400 miles!
Though I missed the use of cruise control (which our brave 2017 Hyundai Accent lacks), this caused me to pay especial attention to the endless stretches of road before me. Driving down through California from San Jose to Las Vegas was bittersweet, as the NorCal – SoCal drive is somewhat of a staple of life in the Golden State.
We said goodbye to In-N-Out and drove through the Mojave Desert, sympathizing with our AC even as it gave out partway through. Eventually the desert gave way to the majestic red rocks of Utah, which literally took our breath away. The feeling of smallness caused by confronting the grandeur of creation–in itself reflecting the infinite vastness of the Creator–is probably healthy to experience every now and then.
Grace and I received multiple doses of this feeling, as we then traversed the mountainous heights of Colorado. The winding roads lined by evergreens, bordered by ranges of snowy peaks and green vales, were something out of a picture book. After crossing the Rockies, we discovered that the eastern part of Colorado forms part of the Great Plains.
The scene change in Nebraska prompted more hours of reflection at the wheel. There was now much less to see in terms of mountains and valleys, but the rolling fields and great blue sky continued to teach me lessons in perspective. Missouri brought with it the return of hills and rivers, and shortly after we crossed the Mississippi, we found ourselves back in more urbanized regions. Several interstates later, we arrived in Indy!
We moved into our apartment last Monday, and I started work at Heritage Christian School the following day. What a joy it’s been getting to meet so many new people! Teachers, students, staff, and administrators have been so kind to welcome me and patiently teach me about my new community. I pray the Lord will use me as an instrument of His grace and peace at Heritage.
Reflecting on the past weeks and months, I’m reminded of what the Preacher said in Ecclesiastes:
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end…I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11, 14
God has made everything beautiful in its time, including all our moments and days. He holds our eternities in His loving, powerful hands. Wherever you find yourself today, this month, this year, know that your Heavenly Father is watching over you; His Son is interceding for you; His Spirit empowers and leads you. May we worship our God in all seasons of our lives!
