If you are a frequent traveller from Timaru to Oamaru or vice versa, you might have noticed the stretch of highway approaching the north end of Glenavy that has a deep rut.
The NZTA (New Zealand Transport Agency) has identified the deep rutting and put warning signs (slow down, uneven surface, speed limit) for over a year.
Then a month ago, the road repair started. Vehicle speed was limited to 30 Kph, and then vehicles had to queue as the passage was limited to one lane.
Driving to Oamaru last Thursday, I stopped at the road repair site as requested. The queue of passing vehicles was so long.
I didn’t mind the long wait, and it never made my patience run out because I knew they were repairing the highway for our safe driving benefits.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).
Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17)
Later, I reflected that stops and slowdowns are needed in any life journey to make our trip better and more fruitful. They make us better travellers as well.
Applying this reflection to my pastoral work, as I have experienced, there will be stops and delays in every aspect of the Lord’s work. Sometimes you can “drive” at a slow pace only.
Despite the hard work and diligence, the results are not immediate and can be slow if anything happens.
Sometimes, you thought nothing was happening because you could not see anything on the surface.
However, if stops and slowdowns on the highway are indications that there are men at work repairing the road, we can firmly believe that God’s hand is mending whenever we encounter stops and slowdowns in our life’s pathways.
Let me close this short reflection with the first verse and chorus of the hymn, “Make Me a Blessing”.
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.
May this be our prayer today and every day.
Amen…
Thank you for sharing a very simple but deep-rooted reflection. “ Naigo gid ako”
Yes, indeed, we need to remember that those stops and slowdowns are meant to make our life journey better. Thanks for this reflection.
Pastor Jonan, well-written article. We all lead busy lives. Jesus was busy too. But he always took time for his prayer and meditation. On a journey, he even stops to attend to the sick, to one who is dying. No wonder people die young because of stress, mostly work-related. As I get older, I avoid stress. My boss knows that I will never answer his call on weekends and when I am on vacation. I never get stressed at work or about anything. If it can’t be done today, there is tomorrow. And Sundays are church days.
Amen!
A meaningful reflection as we journey with our sisters and brothers for justice,
peace and fullness of life.
Yes! Thank you for your comment, Nang Feraz.