Life on Purpose

 
Not long ago I was standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona.  Really!  There was also a flat bed Ford parked there.  No girl. So, for those of you to whom that means nothing, there was a very well known hit song from 1972 Called “Take It Easy.”  It was written mostly by Jackson Browne, finished by Glenn Frey of the Eagles, and was released on the Eagles’ first album.  The lyrics in question are from the second verse:  “Well, I’m a standing on a corner in Winslow, Arizona, it’s such a fine sight to see.  It’s a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford slowin’ down to take a look at me…”  Needless to say those words hold no special significance but are well known to a generation.  My generation.

Over the years in our cross country travels, back and forth between California and Florida, and Oklahoma, and Tennessee, a camp here, a visit there, I’ve been through Winslow, AZ at least a couple of dozen times.  In 1999, along Route 66 in Winslow, the town built a monument park, of sorts, dedicated to Jackson Browne and the song.  I knew it was there.  I wanted to check it out.  I never visited.  I was always tired, or in a hurry, or distracted.  Or it was late at night.  I was busy getting to where I needed to go.  I was always on the way to, or from, somewhere else. This particular trip was to bring my youngest daughter’s car back to California from Nashville, where she spent the last year in school.  Driving alone, I didn’t want to do our usual 12-13 hour days on the road.  Falling asleep at the wheel is, well, dangerous!  So I was able to set up a series of shorter days and reacquaint with many old friends.  Some of them were kind enough to supply lodging, food and GREAT conversation!  It was a fruitful, wonderful time, to say the least.

So, back to Winslow.  I had the time.  I TOOK the time!  I’d planned on this since before I left for Nashville.  I stopped for gas then asked the attendant where to go.  Off I went.  A mile off the freeway.  Maybe two.  It probably took me less than five minutes to get there.  Another minute to park.  I had a blast and took some stellar photographs.  I picked up a birthday gift for my brother at the souvenir shop, enjoyed checking out an historic hotel and had a relaxing walk.  I had someone take a picture of me with a bronze Jackson Browne!

Here’s the thing….though the circumstances described here are relatively unimportant, how many times have we missed out because we were too distracted?  How many times have we wanted to do something but made no plan to see it done?  How many times have we had access to something marvelous (on whatever level) and just never took advantage of the opportunity, maybe assuming since we had easy access, it would just somehow happen?  How many times have we let relationships drift thinking we can get to it “tomorrow?” Our lives, and our relationship with God, can grow stale as we slip, bit by agonizing bit, into numbness, routine, and mediocrity.   Time alone with God breeds creativity.  Time alone with ourselves can help us focus and plan.  SOLITUDE.  Matt 14:23  “After he (Jesus) had dismissed them (the disciples), he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone…”  Jesus would periodically get up early or stay up late, but often it was just part of His day.

Can I encourage you to schedule out some time alone every day?  We need to truly have a visit with God and with ourselves every day.  Do we really do this or would we be visiting somewhere we just THINK we’ve already been?  Even a few minutes of solitude, four or five, if that’s all you have.  Use it to think.  To plan.  To breathe.  To pray.  To recharge.  To reengage with life!  Don’t miss out! Pastor Doug, out!