A new highway

I had no idea of the scale of this bridge.  I’ve watched the construction of this bypass in our area for years now, never fully appreciating the scope of the undertaking.  But today, my daughter and I – eager to get out of the house for an hour – have come to find out how close we can get for photos.

Turns out: pretty close.  In fact, directly under.  The huge pylons tower over us, giant monuments to human engineering.

I come here today because of a verse in Isaiah 19.  I’ll give it to you in context:

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and Assyria will come into Egypt, and Egypt into Assyria, and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians.

In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:23–25)

My commentary tells me that highway should be read as a causeway, a raised road, impossible to miss.  This miraculous work that God is going to do will be seen by all.

And what is the work?  Remember, the Assyrians are the enemy at the gates.  Soon, they will sweep down into the land like locusts, destroying everything in their path.  And Egypt has been a foe of God’s people for ages.  The LORD will build a highway between these two through the heart of Israel for the purpose of unified worship.

How hard it must have been for the beleaguered people of God imagine that they and their enemies would be a combined blessing to the world!

This bypass construction has permanently altered the landscape.  Historians say that pandemics also make permanent changes to society.  This verse today has me thinking less about enduring this situation and more about looking for the lasting changes God is making in it.

How is God building a causeway in all this?

Remember, such a road is built for connection.  Ease of travel.  In our time of confinement, we are, paradoxically, freer than ever to unite with other believers globally.  People have more availability, a more prioritized need for human contact, and the technology to link up.  Just this past week, I had long conversations with believers spread across the country.

As I frame a shot of the impressive, dizzying stairway to the construction above, the sun creates a beautiful ring of brightness around it.  It’s like a halo of glory.

And I think, though we all have a tough climb right now – one challenging day after another – there is glory in this.  For God is at work.  He’s building something new.  Something lasting.  Forever changing the landscape.  And it will lead to a surprising new breadth of worship.

This week, I’m striving to be a construction worker on that causeway.

Lord God, build something lasting in this time of disconnection.  In your power and wisdom, use these very destructive elements to construct a new highway for your Kingdom.  Bring us all into unity in your Son, to your glory.  And show each of us what we can do today to be a part of your work in this time.

Reader: What’s the most surprising connection you’ve made during your time of “social distancing”?