Aug
9
2018

Got Your Back

Posted in Salvation | 2 Comments

I smiled as I drove behind him.
I could see clear to the front of the car through the large back window.
What I saw was really not a car as much as something else.
It was truly a bedroom on wheels.

This was not a camper.
This was something that you would have expected duck tape to hold together.
This was well used.
This was well loved.

I saw blankets folded up and tossed in the corner.
I saw a pillow resting on top of the blankets.
I saw clothes hung on hooks on either side.
I saw the lone driver, happy that his accommodations were traveling along with him.

I had not seen his dog.
I was enjoying the view every time we stopped for a traffic light; I had not seen his companion.
This was the dog’s home on wheels, too.
The dog hopped up on the pile of blankets as if this was his usual spot to rest.

I saw the owner motion to the dog as he was driving.
The dog jumped down and went up to him in the front seat.
The fact that the dog was able to easily walk to his owner gave me another picture.
Everything in the bedroom on wheels was against the walls of the van.

The dog had easy access to his owner and to his resting spot.
I wondered if there was a makeshift kitchen inside the bedroom on wheels.
The outside of the van, told me that it had seen many miles.
It was actually an ingenious way to travel.

I needed to get over to the far right lane.
This van was driving in the middle lane.
At a red light, I wanted to look towards the driver.
However, something else caught my eye first.

In front of the bedroom on wheels was a Volkswagen Vanagon.
I felt like I was stepping back in time.
The Vanagon, with its boxy shape, looked like one stiff wind would knock it over.
Despite that, I always loved to see a Vanagon on the road.

This Vanagon was orange in color.
It stood out for many reasons.
It was well loved.
It was well traveled.

It seemed to be chugging along.
I wondered if the bedroom on wheels and the Vanagon were traveling together.
I assumed so.
At the red light, I found myself next to the Vanagon.

The first thing I noticed was a sticker on the side window.
I giggled as I read the words.
0-60 eventually.
Truer words have never been written.

I liked the driver already.
He looked like he stepped out of the Outback.
He had an Australian Crocodile Dundee hat on his head.
The long strings were on either side of his chin.

He had pictures of kangaroos scattered about.
He had banners with words I could not read.
He had flags, one of which I knew was the Australian flag.
This man was from another time and place.

The two vans had to be together.
The bedroom on wheels drove behind the Vanagon as if to protect it.
It reminded me of the Large Load trucks I see driving slowly behind the flatbed.
The Large Load trucks drive with their lights flashing to warn other drivers.

Perhaps the bedroom on wheels van knew that the Vanagon could not drive the speed limit.
The speed limit on this road was 55 miles per hour.
If the 0-60 sign was to be believed, the Vanagon was not even close to reaching that speed.
The bedroom on wheels van had the Vanagon’s back.

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)

What does it mean to have each other’s back?

When someone has your back, they are there to support you unconditionally. When life seems to blindside you with undesirable events, they’re there for you without complaint, supporting you in your moment of need, not for their own selfish, self gratifying reasons, but because your well being to them is foremost in their mind and heart. A lover not only does the above, but is flexible in mind and heart to make the necessary changes and sacrifices in their own lives if they know it is something that enhances yours.  Someone that has your back recognize the goodness, even the greatness in you, especially during the moments you’re not willing or able to see it. Simply stated, when someone has your back, your life is greatly enhanced.
(urban dictionary.com)

Are we that kind of friend?
Are we that kind of family member?
Do we have each other’s back?
Are we there for each other, unconditionally?

Soldiers in battle know firsthand what these words mean.
They rely on each other.
Their very life depends on it.
They each would take a bullet for the other.

We do not always know that kind of relationship.
Sacrifice seems outdated and unrealistic.
Sacrifice, laying down your own needs for the sake of another, is the true measure of love.
A relationship should never be one sided.

We have an example of Someone who has our back.
In fact, His back was flogged and beaten so that our back would not have to be.
He stands behind and before.
He is our front and rear guard.

He is our Lord Jesus.
He is patient when we are 0-60 eventually in our faith and our commitment.
He comes alongside.
He is faithful and true.

We are the orange Vanagon.
Jesus is the bedroom on wheels.
We chug along, trying to do everything on our own.
Jesus says, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

Thank You, Lord Jesus.
Thank You for taking the beating on Your back so that our back would be spared.
What grace!
What love!

Amen.

 

Whispers of His Movement and Whispers in Verse books are now available in paperback and e-book!

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2 responses to “Got Your Back”

  1. Gina,
    What an amazing analogy. Most days I am 45 ish in my journey when I long to be closer to the ‘speed limit ‘. But I’ll keep my engine tuned and continue to chug along knowing He has my back

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