The road from my winter home to my summer home rises from 1700 feet (518 metres) to 6400 feet (1950 metres), and it is 143 miles (230 kilometres) from the Sonoran Desert to the White Mountains of Arizona, USA. For half an hour, I travel on a four-lane highway. Then, I drive through a tunnel, emerging into Devil's Canyon — a collection of unique burnt orange rock formations called hoodoos. They tower on each side of the road, some balanced on just the tip of an edge, looking ready to topple onto the road at any moment. Soon, the driving gets more intense as I wind in between hills, dip steeply into a valley and rise again, then cross a few more bridges. Halfway through the trip, I enter the Salt River Canyon: three slow miles down to the river, winding down the side of the mountain, and three slow miles back up the other side. Soon, the driving becomes even more challenging as I travel up, down, and around the mountains; occasionally there's a straight stretch and a passing lane. Finally, I reach high country, more curves, mostly uphill, until the road levels out about ten miles before my destination.

There are two routes to reach my summer home. I prefer this one for the variety of scenery and the driving challenges, except for the delays and frustrations of getting caught behind huge trucks and recreational vehicles that can't keep up their speed on the steep hills. On my last trip, due to construction, I was stuck behind 15 vehicles, including four trucks, going through the canyon — exasperation!

As I drove this route the other day, it occurred to me that it's a great deal like life. Sometimes, life goes smoothly, like a four-lane highway. Sometimes, we feel like we're in a dark tunnel and suddenly come out of it, only to see more hazards ahead. Life throws curves at us, and obstacles get in our way. We feel like we're on a downward path, then something happens to lift us up.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)

Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)

If we have trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are not alone as we travel the road of life. If we let Him, He will guide us and give us peace and joy even when there are hazards, delays, or dark tunnels. We can put our trust in Him, knowing that He knows what is best for us.

Prayer: "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." (Psalm 25:4 NLT) Keep me focused on You, and guide me as I travel through life. Amen.