Yesterday, I returned home from a work-related trip. En route to the airport, I learned a valuable lesson about why you should always keep focused on the road ahead.
The Departure
At the flush of the morning, I began my voyage. Although my flight was not until 9:30 a.m., I needed to carve out enough lead time because my hotel was about an hour and a half away from the airport. At six o’clock, I loaded my vehicle and embarked on my journey down the unfamiliar roads. I relied solely on the GPS, which led me through a remote part of the town. The rural, two-lane highways were icy and cloaked in darkness. There were no lampposts. The glaring headlights from the oncoming vehicles pierced through the thickness of the dusk like a searing blade, causing my fingers to tighten around the steering wheel as each car passed. At times, I could feel my heart rate quicken with each passing beam.
Decreased Vision
Driving at night or at dusk differs significantly from daytime driving. During the day, visibility is often unpaired, and depth perception is increased. However, darkness tends to decrease depth perception. As such, the use of headlights could yield less overall visibility. Furthermore, the glare of oncoming headlights could also be temporarily blinding.
Cruising Down the Highway
As I cruised down the winding highways, the beams from the oncoming cars pierced through my windshield. Staring into the headlights actually decreased my visual acuity. The only way that I was able to safely navigate the vehicle was by keeping my eyes focused on my lane and what was directly in front of me. By staring directly ahead, I could see the passing cars in my peripheral vision. Moreover, the glaring headlights, especially from those using their high beams, did not blind me.
Practical Application
My early-morning airport journey was the perfect spiritual allegory. Just like the oncoming headlights, distractions (e.g., worries or stress) can cause you to take your focus off your intended path. When you steer your eyes away from your lanes, you are more likely to experience calamity (e.g., anxiety, nervousness, depression, and other stress-related symptoms). Additionally, you are also likely to steer off track and potentially crash.
The analogy of the headlights illustrates that moments of grave stress require laser focus. For example, choosing to gaze at the upcoming vehicle could have been catastrophic. Similarly, focusing on life’s challenges can result in undesirable outcomes.
While it is important to keep your eyes focused on the road ahead, it is important to note that merely focusing on the road ahead will not abolish opposition. However, doing so can help you to keep information in perspective. Remember, Proverbs 4:25–26 says,
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways, NLT.
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