Transportation Practice 3

Take the Scenic Route: We like to be able to drive fast. When I was in college, driving from Jackson to Knoxville was a huge chore to me, and so I wanted to finish it as quickly as possible. I wheeled down I-40 well over the speed limit, feeling almost like I needed to. We are in such a hurry these days that the most important thing to us becomes making good time at all costs. Even if we deny everyone in the car a bathroom break, completely miss everything we drive past, and even endanger some lives all in the name of good time.

I discovered one day when I got a little bored on my way home that, from Camden, you can take Highway 70 to Jackson rather than the interstate. I had some time to spare, so I figured, “why not?” I took the route and, first off, learned that it wasn’t much longer than my I-40 route (5 or 10 minutes if even that). In my constant quest for gasoline efficiency, I started thinking about this and realized that I had likely saved on gas, because I was driving at a speed limit of 55 mph or less, rather than the 70 mph of the interstate. So, I had made about the same time and gotten better gas mileage.

But, I also began to like this route for reasons other than money savings. Along this route, I passed through 5 or 6 small towns along the way. When you do this, you see quirky local businesses and restaurants. You pass through pastures and farms. You see things that you can’t on the interstate, because either you’re driving too fast or the interstate just has to be separate from these small town main streets to have such high speed limits.

Along these routes, I am frequently tempted to get out and explore, and, every now and then, I give in to those urges and really have some great experiences. I remember one day on my way home, using Highway 70, there was a gorgeous sunset with purples and pink of all shades in the sky. I was passing by a large cotton field and couldn’t help but pull over to really look at it. I pulled into a country road, and for about 20 minutes, sat on my hood and just took the beauty of God’s creation in. I would not have even considered this on the interstate.

So, just try my advice out: take a way you don’t normally travel and see what you find. Or, slow down on that route that’s usually just a means to get from point A to point B. Take in some of the natural sites God has put in front of you: pull over next to one of those creeks you drive past every day and just look over the bridge, thanking God for this time. Pop in on a neat little business establishment you’ve wondered about, and talk to the people for a minutes. These activities are connectional, and there is no doubt that the God we serve wants us to connect.