Traffic Jam

I'm from Chicago. Traffic jams in Chicago begin about 5 in the morning, lessen between 11a.m. and 1p.m., then start picking up again before 2 in the afternoon to continue into the evening. If there is snow, it continues well into the night. In or out of the city, it doesn't matter. The highways are packed. No one is expected to be on time in Chicago. Twenty minutes late is still somewhat on time, as long as the reason is traffic. Change lanes? Doesn't matter. There is no fast lane. 

Driving into the beautiful downtown of Chicago, a traffic jam is expected, and time is allowed to deal with it. People do it every morning of every day of every week. But in our lives, when we least expect it, we haven't planned for it, when suddenly there are a million things to do and everything converges in one place at one time, all demanding attention NOW if not sooner, we inherit another sort of traffic jam. No fast lane. No way around this surprise. Too much at once and suddenly nothing gets done.

I have always been struck by a verse in the Book of James that says "Count it all joy when you encounter various trials." When we encounter, in other words at the very first moment. Head down the ramp of the expressway to find a parking lot when everything should be moving along like a song. I don't want to be here. Why am I here. But reading further (and yes these verses are meant to connect) we read "If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of the Lord." Aha! I can't see which lane will get me through this, but the helicopter hovering over the highway sees everything at one moment, the spot that I am at this very moment and the spot several miles down the road where I intend to go. Suddenly my own perception isn't helping much. I find myself in a jam, trapped, really, and I have opportunity to lean a bit on the Person who knows all and sees all at the same moment with perfect clarity. So yes, we can count it all joy, a new journey unplanned with ears listening with a bit more sensitivity to the One with the best way to get there. So relax. Turn the radio on.  It's going to be ok. Smile at the guy next to you. He probably doesn't realize there is a guy in a helicopter with this figured out in advance.