West

West

He sat on the curb near the westbound interstate on-ramp with a ratty duffle bag at his feet and a sign in his lap. As I pulled closer to make a right-hand turn, I imagined I knew what his message would be. I anticipated “Hungry, Please Help” or “Need Work” or “Homeless Vet.” But his hand-lettered SOS had only one word, and it wasn’t a word I expected. It simply said “West.”

The sign didn’t say how far west he wanted to go or the final destination he had in mind. He only revealed a hoped-for trajectory and the patience to wait for someone moving in that direction who was willing to carry him farther along. It struck me that he had something to teach me: in matters of direction, I sometimes use too many qualifying words.

I, too, am dependent on someone to carry me where I need to go. But I wonder if I don’t weigh my directional requests down with so many particulars that moving me there is more complicated than it should be. I’d like to get to holiness, but without too much heartache, please. I’d like to live in Christlikeness, but I’d prefer to dawdle on the way, enjoying the worldly scenery and lingering in alluring roadside parks of selfishness until my options narrow.

But what if my hand-lettered directional sign simply said “Jesus,” and I was willing to take any route to get to him? What if I could be content with straight shots and meandering back roads as long as they kept me moving toward him? What if speed mattered to me less than abiding and I was willing to keep any company that would carry me closer to his heart? It might not be an efficient journey, but it would almost certainly be an interesting one. How could it not be?

Tonight I’m wondering how far west the man with the sign might be. He wasn’t in the same spot when I returned to it later that day. And neither, I pray, am I.

Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!

Proverbs 3:6-7, MSG