For years, my morning commute was my quiet space, twenty-two minutes of aloneness. I often prayed during that time, and I still do when I am on the road alone. I usually pray aloud, forgetting that the same windows that allow me to see out allow others to see in. No doubt some wonder about the animated conversation occurring in the SUV in the driving lane. Although I am known to talk to (and answer) myself, in this case the conversation only appears one-sided. I trust that God hears and answers the prayers of all who pray in faith in Him. I have learned in recent years how tangible and real those answers can be, in moments I need them most.
The most immediate, memorable answer I ever experienced came one morning as Jesus and I rode together down the interstate. I remember pleading for direction, wondering if I was truly following Him, or going my own way trying to pull Him along with me. Looking over, I noticed a blue box on the back of a trailer, the word, “TRUST,” in large block letters. As I got closer, I saw “Isaiah 40:31” in smaller letters at the top of the box. I knew that Scripture well: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (KJV)
Praying along that same stretch of interstate a few weeks later, I noticed a trailer with the same blue box. This time, “FAITH” and “Philippians 4:13” were featured. Another familiar Scripture: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (KJV)
Coincidence? I don’t believe so. I can count on one hand how many of those trucks I saw within a year after the first one. These days the sightings are more frequent. I recently saw two in the same week, both marked “TRUST.”
Noah, no doubt ready to leave his floating home, sent out a dove to check the state of the floodwaters. The first time, the dove came back with a branch. The last time, she didn’t come back at all, a sign that she found a dry place to land. A song from the 1950’s refers to this story, where God sent an answer on the wings of a dove.
Mine came on the wings of an eighteen wheeler.