Drove to the coast today. Needed to see the Pacific. I always feel a huge sense of calmness and peace when all that dark blue water is ebbing & flowing and hugging the beautiful California shore line. Aptly named, “pacific” means peaceful nature. Wasn’t in a hurry to get there this morning, I let other vehicles do battle for lane space and freeway supremacy. I was content taking the back roads, cruising through the newer neighborhoods and past the few remaining So Cal dirt lots that aspire to some day be a home, literally, to a new neighborhood. My car eventually found the winding road through the rustic canyons that would deposit me onto Pacific Coast Highway.
While braking to a stop light a few miles from PCH, windows down, I sang along in decent harmony with the radio. My nostrils’ latest intake confirmed the ocean was in the vicinity. Briefly taking in the surroundings, my eyes landed on a bumper sticker on a new pick-up truck in front of me. It was printed in Spanish, but it was Greek to me. Prior to the light turning green, I had time to ask Google to translate it for me. “God is with me”, was the answer. Not what I was expecting, but a comforting phrase in ANY language. Sure beats sporting a bumper sticker that reads “Dios NO esta conmigo”, right?
I strained my eyes to see if God was in the passenger seat, but the truck’s windows were tinted. Extra dark. I couldn’t really see the driver, either. For all I knew, God was driving that four-by-four. In reality, I knew “Dios esta conmigo” meant the Holy Father was riding shotgun.
Deep down, maybe we all want to believe that God is with us rather than a life devoid of His peaceful presence. At the very least, I’d wanna know that He is with me while I am driving, especially on the crowded roads and frenetic freeways of Southern California! I could surely use Him when stuck in traffic and to keep me from getting lost. He could be my personal GPS…..God Positioning System.
Turned out the truck was also heading north on PCH. Trailing behind him, my curious mind wondered if the driver of that truck “felt” God was with him ALL the time or just when he got behind the wheel? Did he also have this same sticker at home on his refrigerator and bathroom mirror? On his garage door, above the TV and on his bedroom ceiling?
I followed that truck for another 10 miles until I reached my destination. Truck and Dios continued on up the scenic coastal highway. Probably headed to Paradise. I will say this…he drove well. He followed the rules of the road and gave me no reason to pound my steering wheel or yell out anything unprintable here, so that was a good thing, perhaps even a God-thing.
Wondered also, did I, if my Latino brother ever forgot that he had that sticker affixed to his vehicle? Did he sometimes hop in his truck and forget God rode along with him? Did he, like me, ever have times when he didn’t FEEL that God was with him? Like when the smorgasbord of life DUMPS heaping helpings on our plate, especially the “unh-uh” stuff we did NOT ask for. Is Dios still with us then? Where does God actually go when the proverbial you-know-what has hit the fan?
After I parked at the coast, I inquired of my faithful friend, Google, about Dios being with us, and I was provided a couple references. Matthew 28:20 which quotes Jesus: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. Hebrews 13:5 reads: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Good news for those who have chosen Jesus, bumper sticker or not. Turns out “God is with me” is a perfect reminder as we live our imperfect lives in this imperfect world. We are NEVER alone, even when we feel like we are walking solo.
Staring out at the Pacific, water as far as the eye can see, the ENORMiTY of this ocean, to me, is always awe-inspiring. The Pacific’s waters cover MORE than 30 percent of the Earth’s surface. The basin of the ocean is LARGER than the landmass of ALL the continents combined and has a mean depth of 13,000 feet! There is an area of the northwestern Pacific that reaches a depth of 35,853 feet, the DEEPEST known point in the world! That means that Mt. Everest could fit in that ocean spot with over 6,800 feet of water to spare! WOW!!! Impressive stats. Dios the Creator was just showing off His majestic artistry when He designed the Pacific.
Another WOW thing when I visit the coast….as grand, impressive and magnificent as the Pacific Ocean is, the realization that Dios knows MY name permeates my soul with a calming peace. Viewing this ocean is, once again, a wonderful reminder that the Pacific-maker cares about, and loves, little ol’ me. No bumper sticker necessary to know Dios esta conmigo. He has been with me all along, ever since I personally met Him in 1963.