Friday Drive

Yesterday I drove over 360 miles round trip across the great state of North Carolina. According to google maps my trip would have taken 4 days and 16 hours if walked but I think that means without stopping to rest. As I was speeding along in my coffin with wheels I thought about how much beauty I was passing and how little of it I am able to take in. Driving past such beauty at 55-70 miles per hour seemed irreverent and somehow unholy. 

I call the car "a coffin with wheels" but I really do enjoy driving and I enjoy driving well and safely and speedily to my destination. However, if my day is only spent traveling to another destination(actually or metaphorically) and not taking time to look about I become  disconnected  from reality. And on the days when I take the time to go slower and see the amazing things going on right now I feel more alive. Yes, a Christian is a pilgrim but he is bound to loose his way if he closes his eyes to beauty.

One final note. NC roads sparkle. I first noticed it as a kid on a road trip to NC.  "Ooo la la, it shimmers like diamonds", I thought. There must be something in the asphalt to make it glitter like a road to paradise.