Guardrails

The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:17-18

While in Wyoming, we rented a motorcycle. It was my idea. I thought it would be fun to tour the National Parks on a motorcycle. On a bike, you can see more and feel closer to nature. I picked out a bike, talked to the agency and confirmed the dates. The size of the saddlebags concerned me. I wanted to make sure there was enough room for all our gear. Upon arrival, I discovered I miscalculated so we left half at the rental shop, planning on coming back to exchange clothes mid week. While competing paperwork, we discovered that the day before a couple died riding their motorcycle off a cliff. Not a good thing to tell me. It is hard, but I work to relax and enjoy the ride leaving Glen in charge of getting us safely to our destination. This new information made me tense and worried. The bigger bike than our own also unnerved me. We were a little wobbly when we pulled away from the shop. “Let’s go for a ride to give you time to get used to the bike,” I said. We had no map, so took off on a nice paved road out of town, which was turned out to be through the highest mountain pass in the area. It went up and over the Teton Mountains into Idaho. I am a flatlander. I don’t mind riding in Florida where there are few hills and no mountains. Mountain peaks were not in the picture as I visualized our nice safe ride through the parks. I saw images of plains, not understanding that to get to the valleys, you go over the mountains. I don’t know who designed the roads there, but it is like being on the edge of the world. You come up over a mountain and head straight down only to twist and turn on the curves. Worse, there are no guardrails. At one point, only feet separated us from going off the side (my interpretation, Glen’s is much different). A few days later, when the bike broke down and the rental agency offered us a car instead, it was an answer to prayer! I often live my life just like I planned our vacation. I make assumptions based on what I know, on past experience and my desires. I do not consult with others who might help me in my decisions. I don’t listen to the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit. I know it all. At least I think I do. This proverb reminds me that my pride can get me into real trouble. If I am in charge of my own destiny, it will not take me long to fall right off the edge of the world. The guardrails in my journey through this life are obedience and humility. If I depend on God to make my plans, He may lead me through some mountains, but I can depend on Him to bring me safely through them.