The Obstacle On The Road

It happens every February 2.
For one Pennsylvania town, it is quite an important event.
It is known as Groundhog’s Day.
It is the day when an animal becomes a prognosticator.

The legend says the groundhog will determine whether there will be six more weeks of winter.
Whether it will be an early spring is determined by whether the groundhog sees his shadow.
If it is a cloudy day and the groundhog does not see his shadow, then spring will come early.
If it is sunny and his shadow is seen, he retreats and there will be six more weeks of winter.

As I was getting dressed on that morning, the result was announced on news radio.
The day was cloudy, the groundhog emerged, and no shadow was seen.
The crowd in the background in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania cheered.
The groundhog predicted an early spring.

I immediately sent a text to my daughter who teaches second grade.
I wasn’t sure if she heard whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not.
She answered with one word, in all capital letters: YAY!!!!
The number of exclamation points let me know how she felt about the matter.

An early spring does not mean that winter tips his hat and suddenly leaves.
An early spring simply means that we have something to look forward to after the thaw.
We still have some more winter days to get through.
We still have snow, and ice, and cold to contend with.

After the blizzard that brought over 30 inches of snow, we began to see some melting.
The lights that line our walkway were finally visible again.
The branches of the hydrangea bush were no longer heavy laden with snow.
Patches of grass were visible on the front lawn.

Just when the hint of the spring that is to come was seen, snow was in the forecast.
There were all sorts of predictions as to the amount of snow we could expect.
I knew that I had an early morning appointment on the day after the snow was to come.
I was bound and determined not to reschedule if I could possibly help it.

The snow came and it was exquisitely beautiful.
It was the powdery snow that is not conducive to making a snowman but lovely all the same.
It was the kind of snow that lays on every branch of every tree.
It is the kind of winter landscape that any artist would be eager to paint.

I was praying that I would be able to make my early appointment.
I watched the snow plows go down our street, spraying cinders as they drove by.
I saw the plow’s flashing lights making colorful shadows on the snowy lawn.
I heard the beep-beep of the snow plow that broke through the winter silence.

Morning came and the streets were clear.
The news radio said that the major roads were treated and only wet.
I was thankful that I did not have to cancel my appointment.
The man that plows our driveway came and took care of that for me.

I drove in wonder.
I marveled at the artistry of our Creator God.
Snow was falling off the branches and landing on my car as I drove.
Plop-Plop it fell, soft as a pillow.

Only once did my car fishtail a bit.
It reminded me of the treacherousness of winter despite its beauty.
I saw the car behind me do the same thing at the same spot.
I thanked God for His protection.

I approached an intersection and saw him.
I was on a highway with two lanes going each way.
There was also an additional turning lane in either direction.
The man was in the road, bent over, pulling an object to the shoulder.

Upon first glance, it looked like a rectangular cardboard box.
As I got closer to the traffic light, I could tell that the object was quite heavy.
The man was pulling it with all of his might.
By now, I was stopped at the light and could really watch him.

It looked like it was a piece of a construction beam.
It must have fallen from the back of a truck.
The man saw the danger of the obstacle being in the roadway.
The man took it upon himself to move it safely to the side.

I wondered what would have happened if a car had suddenly come upon it.
It was an accident waiting to happen.
This brave man got out of his van, that was idling in the turning lane, and took action.
This brave man got into traffic on a snowy morning and thought of others.

When he successfully completed his task, he needed to get back to his van.
I smiled and let him pass in front of me, as did the car next to me.
He completed the task that no one asked him to do.
He jumped into his van and somehow turned left before the light turned red.

He completed the task that no on asked him to do.
He did something dangerous, considering the road he was on, for the sake of another.
He was not looking for thanks.
He was simply trying to protect others from a danger he noticed.

Who being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

Jesus completed the task that His Father sent Him to do.
Jesus, the Son of God, became man.
The Incarnation of Jesus was for the sake of another.
We are the ones for whom He came.

There are dangers and obstacles on this road of life.
Jesus saw them, and knew them, and suffered under them.
He came willingly, obedient to His Father.
He knew the dangers we faced and the impossibility of journeying safely Home without Him.

I do not know if the man I saw this morning knows Jesus.
I do know that He was Christlike in his behavior.
He thought little of himself for the sake of others.
He selflessly acted to keep others safe on their journey.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)
I saw that exemplified on a snowy morning on a busy road.
I saw a dangerous obstacle pulled out of the way so that we could travel on.
Travel on, Pilgrim; the Lord Jesus has made a way for you.