Heading Down an Unknown Road

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie Ten Boom

I had done this pleasurable end-of-the-day routine thousands of times before: walking out the office door, usually satisfied and grateful for a productive day’s work, uncoupling the building access badge and tucking it away, and driving into the sunset for the hour drive home. Friday, though, was unlike any other departure, because my car had a strange passenger: a box of daily work essentials hastily assembled from my desk and drawers and standing files. The new normal had suddenly become “work from home” until further notice.

As San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer said this week, “It feels like we’re living in a movie.” And as I drove out of the city and headed west, the usually happy departure became a surreal yet strangely peaceful moment of wondering aloud when I would get to come this way again. 

We’ve never been down this road before.

And with that reality comes the naturally human reflex of fear of the unknown...until you realize there are travelers who have gone before us to point the way.

I have to remind myself in times like these that the first rule for an unknown road is this: Never believe your Bible is irrelevant. It is amazing how the timelessness of ancient words can shed light and bring comfort during even a 21st Century pandemic. For a good chunk of his service to God and ministry to others, the apostle Paul knew what it felt like to have his world on lockdown. In the book of Philippians, he writes from an actual prison, but instead of using words of doom and gloom, he pens what are some really relevant words of encouragement to the local church.

He reminds us that the second rule for an unknown road is this: God is still here. God knows the way. God has always been faithful and always true to His promises, and He won’t stop now. With all of that as his foundation, this particular traveler who has gone before us, though on lockdown and having no idea what tomorrow might bring, is resolved to keep living the Life, to remain faithful to the always-faithful God personally, yes, but also in serving and loving others around him. And he encourages the timeless local church to do the same—all with the knowledge and peace that passes understanding that even though we may not know this road at all, God knows it like the back of His hand if only we will trust His never-fail GPS. 

And so a third rule for an unknown road: Don’t be tempted to exit to camp out at some roadside rest area until it’s over. Rest yes, by all means take care of your own body, mind and soul, and be as wise as an owl, but nevertheless, keep on driving, keep walking, keep going. And most of all, keep on trusting and praying.

Honestly, it can be hard to wrap your brain around all of this. But could it actually be, as Paul says, that all of this craziness that is happening in his world and our world on this unknown road “has really served to advance the Gospel”; that this is actually a never-before season for new opportunities to Love and pray and serve? You may have read those words casually a hundred times before, but this week they are jolting words that jump off of the page as with a sword, fighting to dethrone fear and enthrone faith. Words that sing lines from old hymns:

“Take the Name of Jesus with you…”

“This is my Father’s world, and though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet…”

“We will not fear for God has willed His Truth to triumph through us…”

To live and not hide, to be a light for those in need and not cower in the darkness.

To remember with shock and awe, as if hearing it for the first time, that God is always faithful and God is always able even to still storms, and God is Lord of heaven and earth and all that is in it, including a pandemic.

To remember that while everything in your normal life seems to be on lockdown…

“…but the Word of God can never be chained!”

—2 Timothy 2:9, Passion

In ancient Philippi and our little corner of the world, in every season, for every problem or crisis that’s ever been—a Kingdom opportunity awaits.

Even down this road we’ve never been before.

How, then, shall we live?

Selah.