I went to Bible Study over in Cirencester tonight which involves travelling about 9 miles on the A419 from Stroud. It is actually one of my favourite roads when it is daylight as, for a large part of the route, the beech trees from the woods on either side of the road almost meet creating a tunnel. In the spring the intense lime-green is a joy to behold and in the summer the trees form long cool tunnels dappling the road with shade. Even more spectacular is if you happen to travel that way on a crisp, frosty morning when a winter wonderland surrounds you, the bare branches dripping with sparkling gems. At night, however, the road takes on another aspect altogether being incredibly dark, winding and very eerie. There is also the added fear that a deer might suddenly take it into its head to leap in front of your car with unthinkable consequences to both you and itself.
When I left Cirencester it was just past 9pm and it was drizzling on and off. I joined the road back to Stroud and found I was the only vehicle travelling in either direction for a good 5-6 miles of that journey. I was conscious that I was clutching the steering wheel staring intently ahead and worrying myself that either the car would break down and leave me stranded by those dark, dark woods or a deer would leap out at any moment. As I put the lights on to main beam the road ahead was a tunnel of light and I felt God's guiding hand on me and the words 'God will protect you' came in to my head. I had the feeling of being cocooned and guided for the rest of that journey and, thankfully, the drizzle stopped so those illuminated yards ahead of me were sparklingly clear. It made me think that the lights of your car can be likened to your Christian walk with God - when you follow His direction, pray and study your Bible you form a closer relationship with Him and you get a far greater understanding of His ways and what He wants you to do just like the how the road becomes beautifully clear and easy to see when you put the main beam on. When you dip your lights (or take your eyes away from Him, forget to pray and forget to study His Word) you might still be a Christian and there is still some light around you but the way becomes muddied and not so easy to find.
