Where Dangerous Roads Lead...

 I couldn't help but think, as I drove that road I know so well, that sometimes a dangerous road can hold possibility. 

There's this beautiful drive that I've taken all my life that's actually deemed one of the most scenic roads in the entire country, let alone in the whole state of Alaska. It takes you to some of the best places this part of the world has to offer with views that really can't be matched, in my opinion. I love this drive and usually end up taking it multiple times a year. I can't get enough of the incredible beauty it holds...   

But, as with so many things, this road has a treacherous side to it - as it winds its way along the water's edge... one lane going each direction... it has the reputation for being one of the most dangerous stretches of road to drive in Alaska. Multiple accidents (sometimes fatal) happen along it every summer, with tourists and residents driving it by the thousands. It truly is a sought-after location that comes with great risk. Tired drivers coming back from camping trips and fishing trips, tour buses headed to and from the two cruise liner dock locations, locals who live in any of the towns along its route coming and going for one reason or another - it's a crazy scene. 

Recently, there had been a couple of serious accidents on that road and, as I was anticipating making my way down it to have a belated birthday dinner with family at a resort I love, I couldn't help but notice the fear in my spirit. Even though I live here and know this road well, I also know the dangers and sometimes, even with my familiarity about the place, I still have that feeling to address that perhaps, something might go wrong this time. Here again, I had to ask myself if I was going to let fear hold me back or if I was going to trust all the times I'd made it safely there and back and believe it would be so once more. 

I chose to go. I'm learning to bypass the lies that try to tell me I shouldn't try, shouldn't go, shouldn't trust my intuition and embrace the path of trust - that most of the fears we all hold don't often end up coming true and you have the power to silence those voices and tell them they don't own you. I'm learning to distinguish between the unreasonable feelings and the reasonable gut senses, utilizing discernment to know where that message is coming from and if it is valid. I remembered all the other times I'd been kept safe on that road and believed it would happen again. So that's why I went. 

On the way, the Fall colors were out in force! The trees seemed to have an extra brilliance in their golden, red-laden hues, a sprinkle of summer's green still hanging on. The overcast skies lent an added depth to the scenery, with a peak of sunshine beginning to break through as rain clouds slowly gave way to clearing. Instantly, my fears felt unfounded and I was thankful that I made myself go. I always am. Because that's the journey of faith - trusting that you'll be held even when you know the way holds its own type of risk and uncertainty. 

The dinner was delightful and the company even better. We enjoyed the soft crackling of the fire burning in the large stone fireplace of the lobby, a reminder that the chill of Autumn is now upon us and it's nearly time to cozy in for the coming winter. For a moment, looking at the falling leaves and the quiet splash of the fountain in back, I could feel the relaxation setting in. Here, for just awhile, a peaceful moment when I could be reminded to take a breath - take in God - take in life - take in hope. Take it all in, and just inhale Grace all the way. 

As we begun the drive home, the sun was beginning to set. Another day that He gave, ended. But what I was unprepared for the sheer fiery spectacle that was about to unfold. In a matter of minutes, the skies were lit up with orange and coral and gold, rays sparkling on the open water, trees set ablaze in created glory. We were all suddenly in awe. And I couldn't help but think: I could've missed this if I'd stayed home. If I'd let irrational thoughts win... if I'd let fear have its way... I would've never seen this. Yet, because I came, I was rewarded with a moment of holy reference and gratitude. 

And then it hit me: there is always a danger factor. Just to be alive is run the risk of being hurt or dying at every turn. Nothing is safe, to a certain degree. But if you live your life this way, you will never see the reality that beauty always accompanies danger. Even in the riskiest, most seemingly un-safe of things, there is still evidence of the Maker, evidence of love, evidence of hope. There is still something beautiful to admire in the broken, the busted, the impossible, the painful. Travel any road worth taking, and you'll discover it's not all smooth going. There will be the potential for accidents, suffering, complication, delays, denials. But if the destination is worth it, then we go. 

We go anyway because HE goes anyway. For all of time, He has traveled the craggy places and rough spaces to find the lost and seek the hurting and call home the wandering. Risk is nothing to Him. After all, without His risk, there would be no Easter. It's because of His willingness to do the hard thing - the dangerous thing - that we have the opportunity to fully live. And if the danger didn't hold Him back, why would we let it enslave us? If He goes before, and we are assured that perfect love casts out the fears we all know well, then even the unknowns of journeying the treacherous paths aren't enough to deter us because we trust the One who has traveled this way, too. 

Dangerous roads can lead to beautiful things... if only we have faith to believe.