Yesterday while driving down to visit my daughter in another state with my grandson, an accident caused me to make the decision to bypass rather than wait. (My alerts were showing up to 2 hour delays.)So, I got off the highway. My phone GPS tried to explain reason, but I went into the mode of “just keep moving south”. I began to take little back roads and side streets. I soon realized I had entered the “not so nice” section of the city. I saw signs of the difficulties of inner city unrest while viewing the poverty and brokenness. Fortunately there was but one “tense” moment and were soon back near the highway. We got to see some wonderful Christmas lights on the way out and the rest of the trip was fairly uneventful.

People often talk about the need to be single-minded or laser-focused, but sometimes life changes and decisions are required. Driving through cities and even unpleasant or dangerous situations does not really bother me. I am more concerned for passengers and their comfort than I am about me. The sight of a man in an altercation near a traffic light just brought me back to a more difficult past.

What do you do when life changes in a moment? I could have stayed on the highway, but truly I have been on highways in NYC where traffic came to a standstill and people jumped the fences to come up to cars and drivers. You can be as focused as anything and change can still come your way. Last night I simply told Jacob to find Christmas lights.

Today I will enjoy my family because I got here. I showed up. As I was able to sit with my little grandson Marcell, I thought how worth it was to press on. I know many who would have turned around and headed home to set a trip for another day. But my daughter and her family were important and I wanted to get here.

When I was sharing a little about the “trip” I am sure she was reminded of a detour in NYC that lead us in to the heart of the poverty stricken areas. She began to be quiet and locked the doors. We were out of there soon, but I know it was out of her comfort zone.

One time a man in my church said “you fly by the seat of your pants”. My response was simply “I know how to fly”. Life does not always prepare you for every circumstance but previous experiences often dictate your response in a crisis or circumstance. By the way-I do know the stories of planes that have crashed because they did not trust the instruments,  but here I am on the ground!)

When the time comes what will you do? As I skimmed the news this morning and saw the changes, I thought there is coming a time where character and integrity will be important and will be tested. I also see where what others have learned will be equally important as they bring their knowledge and wisdom to the table.

You have value in what you have experienced and what you have learned. I sense that there is a time in the near future where needs will be met through your experience. Had I been solely dependent on my phone’s GPS I might still be on the highway. Had I not driven long before GPS or had not experienced the workings of the inner city I might have opted for the highway. But by having past experience my grandson and I got here considerably sooner and experienced some amazing lights.

Sometimes in the darkness the light shines the brightest.

Written by Lee Johndrow

Lee is the Senior Leader of Abundant Grace Fellowship Church in Keene, NH

He is the father of five wonderful children. Married for over 26 years to his wife Tina. Loving life with family, friends, faith, fun and food!