Friday, November 30, 2012

Our Lombard Street and “24-Zig”

WHAT DOES THE NEXT YEAR HOLD FOR US?

San Francisco is famous for its hilly streets but Lombard Street used to take the prize for being the most treacherous drive until it was re-engineered to make it safer. Previously, when it was a steep straight street, it was a one-way death-defying drop toward the San Francisco Bay. Engineers gave it a series of hairpin S-curves within the space of one city block. Low, walled gardens were built, projecting from the sides of the street into the center, creating 4 right-hand and 4 left-hand S-curves—a total of 8 from the high top to bottom. Maximum speed? Only 5-10 mph. You now spend as much time going sideways as you do going downhill—but at least you arrive in one piece!

A part of the famous Burma Road carved from the mountainous jungles in the late 1930s, “24-Zig” has 24 zigzag turns in the road in the space of 2.4 miles—one S-curve every one-tenth of a mile. From the air, it looks like a long piece of wet spaghetti laid out with 24 perfect hairpin turns running along the top of the mountain ridges. You actually travel 10 miles in order to complete 2.4 miles. Most of the time you are going sideways.

Google's map function will take you visually to both of those spots. Isn't the Internet fascinating?

We may fret at the slow pace of our life journey and the sideways directions seem to be a waste of time. Nevertheless, God seldom takes us to His destination by a straight street, for good reasons known only to Him. The zigzags may be frustrating and confusing. It would be nice to have a heaven's-eye-view of our lives from beginning to end. Not possible. Faith and trust in God is our only recourse. “We live by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) So let's allow God to be our GPS for whatever roads we must travel in the year ahead!

There may be some steep hills to climb.
Some times where the road seems treacherous
and you aren't sure which turns to take.
Times when you feel like you are on the brink of falling.
And there may be many curves in the road
as you make your way through the ups and downs of the coming year.
May you know God's presence with you through each tunnel,
every steep climb, every curve
in the beautiful mountaintop experiences with Him,
and also through the slippery storms of life.
May He walk with you down through the valley and up the mountain,
take your hand and guide you through to His Light,
put a hedge around you to keep you safe,
help you to find joy and excitement in the roller coaster ride,
and fill you with amazement at the beauty He provides along the way.
Take time to smell the flowers,
to admire His handiwork along Life's railway.
And may His love flood over you, fill you, and overflow in praise
to Him for all He's done, does, and will do! Amazingisn't He?

Worrying does not take away Tomorrow's TROUBLES
It takes away Today's PEACE.

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