By Rev. Pete Hyde

He turned out of the subdivision onto the crowded, school-traffic-clogged main road. He turned east on the highway and headed to the church. Time to pick up from Sunday busyness and start the week. Lines of cars in both directions signaled the beginning of another work week for the nameless, faceless hundreds going about their business as usual. The yellow sphere of the sun hung high above the towering forest of pines, baking them in unusual summer heat in the middle of September. Another week of unseasonably hot and dry weather is in store; he is ready for fall or maybe just ready for a change.

The gravelly voice of balladeer Neil Diamond was playing on a CD in the car. It was an old song, not one of his many hits of the 70s and 80s, titled “Glory Road.” The ballad is about a hobo with all his earthly belongings in a sack on his back, headed somewhere where dreams would come true and life would be better. “Friend do you know the Glory Road? Friend have you seen the Glory Road? Friend I have found the Glory Road!” The lines of the song roll through his mind over and over. Oh, to just point the car to the horizon with no agendas whatsoever and have little responsibilities. Oh, yes, the Glory Road. But alas, utopia does not exist.

Hasn’t everyone searched for the “Glory Road” at one time or another? Seeking that place where dreams would come true and life would be better, when all have it pretty good and are blessed beyond measure? Hasn’t everyone searched for the Glory Road and wished, dreamed and prayed they could journey on it? Hasn’t everyone searched with a bit of wanderlust in their hearts for a better place, a better time, a better situation?

One wonders about all those who are led by the headlights and followed by rows of taillights. Aren’t they all searching for the Glory Road? Perhaps the vision of a place where dreams come true and life is better has been pushed aside because their self-made obligations and routines burden them with self-imposed realities that no longer allow for such dreams and wishes. “Friend have you seen the Glory Road? Friend have you seen the Glory Road?”

The Bible opens to Psalm 40. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet upon a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for me. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” (V1-3, 5; NIV)

Another verse comes to mind: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29: 11-14a)

“Friends, it’s time to find the Glory Road.”

The post A Pastor’s Ponderings appeared first on South Walton Life | 30A News, Events and Community Information.