A couple of summers ago my family had to opportunity to travel on a long-abandoned stretch of historic Route 66 over the mountains between Kingman, Arizona and Needles, California.
The further we got from the Interstate the further back in time we went.
I could easily imagine what it must have been like for the Okies who left the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression in hopes of a better life in California.
We didn't have to travel Route 66 to get where we were going that day; in fact, it was somewhat of a detour. What would motivate me to add miles to our journey? The experience of driving along this famed route.
And it was, indeed, an experience I will never forget.
The old highway was narrow and twisty. It followed the contour of the land winding up and around the mountains. There were sharp drop-offs and blind curves. It was not an easy road to drive.
I thought of the Interstate we had left behind which bypassed the mountains and rough places. It was wide and smooth, and easy to travel.
Contrasting the two routes reminded me of the broad way and the narrow way that Jesus talked about in the Sermon on the Mount.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14, NKJV
I want to be sure I'm on road that leads to Life, even if it's narrow and difficult, don't you?
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Photo credit: my own.
Karla Cook rambles about family life, road trips, outdoor adventures and all things vintage at Ramblin' Roads.
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Love this post, Karla! Sometimes the most desolate road leads us to the most glorious destination.
Yes, the narrow road has much more that will nurture our souls — even though the broad way is so full of exits and other distractions.
We have sections of old Route 66 around here, too, and you're right — it's an adventure to drive it! — kind of like living a faith-filled life.
Loved this post since Route 66 goes right through our state – i know just the kind of roads you're talking about. Great illustration!
I love this hard road. Thanks for this post!
Oh yes! Me too! And God's way is so much more beautiful!