"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
If you've ever driven through the mountains, more specifically down a mountain, then you've probably seen a runaway truck ramp. The Department of Transportation sporadically locates these off ramps on mountainous interstate highways in the event that large trucks lose the ability to employ their brakes. These escape lanes are typically located on a section of highway that has had a particularly steep grade.
These runaway truck lanes are comprised of multiple mounds of sand or dirt with valleys separating each mound. Should a truck need to utilize these ramps, their momentum will be quickly halted as they bounce over the dirt mounds and where the grade is now ascending, rather than descending.
I've personally never seen a truck have to use one of these runaway ramps, but I've always imagined there would be immense fear that would come with knowing that you had lost control of your very large vehicle. I would think that the bouncing stop that the truck comes to would be enough to rattle even the calmest of truck drivers.
When I stop and think about the idea of an uncontrollable large truck having to utilize a runaway truck ramp, I think about all of the people that I've seen over the years who appeared to have lost all control. It appeared as if their brakes had failed them and they were headed straight for disaster.
I've seen this play out in terms of adultery, excessive and covetous spending, and addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, and even work-a-holism. I've seen grown adults who slowly and gradually lose all of their ability to press hard on the brakes and regain control of their out of control lives.
Their runaway ramps might be personified as a good friend who steps in and points out the damaging behavior that is causing their friend to spiral downward. It could be a spiritual mentor or elder who is aware of the situation and steps in to offer some spiritual guidance. Many times, it's a loving parent who desperately desires to see the dangerous behavior stopped.
The hope is that whenever the runaway ramp appears, that they will choose to use it. If they don't choose to veer off course and take the lifeline that is thrown to them, then their brakeless life is undoubtedly going to encounter a disastrous outcome. Unfortunately, I've seen this play out and it almost always has ended in the destruction of a person's marriage or family, career, or even their life.
Scripture tells us that we're all susceptible to sin and temptation, but thankfully, we don't have to see it end in catastrophe. God sends us those means of escape, but we have to choose to take it. If a truck barreling down the mountain never chooses to utilize one the intended ramps, then the driver is essentially making the choice to cause destruction. If we don't choose to utilize the ramps that God places along the way, then we can't be surprised whenever our lives are filled with destruction and chaos.
Has someone or something kept you from what had the potential to be catastrophic?
Have you witnessed someone else spiraling out of control due to destructive choices?
Have you been used by God as a runaway ramp for someone who needed to veer off of their dangerous course?
There is one last thing to ponder. Whenever a truck driver is forced to use a runaway ramp, he or she is likely to be jolted to and fro in their truck before the truck fully comes to a stop. It's quite possible that they will walk away a little bruised and battered. The same is true for our lives whenever we have been on a downward spiral. Even when someone lovingly steps in and we choose to veer off our destructive course, it won't mean that all pain will be averted. However, it should lessen the extent of the pain and the fatal nature that it could have had.
Take some time to thank God for sending those people who have functioned as "runaway ramps" in your life. If you are ever put in the position to operate as someone else's escape route, by all means, step up and do it for their safety and their future. You might have been put in their life for such a time as this.
If you've ever driven through the mountains, more specifically down a mountain, then you've probably seen a runaway truck ramp. The Department of Transportation sporadically locates these off ramps on mountainous interstate highways in the event that large trucks lose the ability to employ their brakes. These escape lanes are typically located on a section of highway that has had a particularly steep grade.
These runaway truck lanes are comprised of multiple mounds of sand or dirt with valleys separating each mound. Should a truck need to utilize these ramps, their momentum will be quickly halted as they bounce over the dirt mounds and where the grade is now ascending, rather than descending.
I've personally never seen a truck have to use one of these runaway ramps, but I've always imagined there would be immense fear that would come with knowing that you had lost control of your very large vehicle. I would think that the bouncing stop that the truck comes to would be enough to rattle even the calmest of truck drivers.
When I stop and think about the idea of an uncontrollable large truck having to utilize a runaway truck ramp, I think about all of the people that I've seen over the years who appeared to have lost all control. It appeared as if their brakes had failed them and they were headed straight for disaster.
I've seen this play out in terms of adultery, excessive and covetous spending, and addictions, such as drugs, alcohol, and even work-a-holism. I've seen grown adults who slowly and gradually lose all of their ability to press hard on the brakes and regain control of their out of control lives.
Their runaway ramps might be personified as a good friend who steps in and points out the damaging behavior that is causing their friend to spiral downward. It could be a spiritual mentor or elder who is aware of the situation and steps in to offer some spiritual guidance. Many times, it's a loving parent who desperately desires to see the dangerous behavior stopped.
The hope is that whenever the runaway ramp appears, that they will choose to use it. If they don't choose to veer off course and take the lifeline that is thrown to them, then their brakeless life is undoubtedly going to encounter a disastrous outcome. Unfortunately, I've seen this play out and it almost always has ended in the destruction of a person's marriage or family, career, or even their life.
Scripture tells us that we're all susceptible to sin and temptation, but thankfully, we don't have to see it end in catastrophe. God sends us those means of escape, but we have to choose to take it. If a truck barreling down the mountain never chooses to utilize one the intended ramps, then the driver is essentially making the choice to cause destruction. If we don't choose to utilize the ramps that God places along the way, then we can't be surprised whenever our lives are filled with destruction and chaos.
Has someone or something kept you from what had the potential to be catastrophic?
Have you witnessed someone else spiraling out of control due to destructive choices?
Have you been used by God as a runaway ramp for someone who needed to veer off of their dangerous course?
There is one last thing to ponder. Whenever a truck driver is forced to use a runaway ramp, he or she is likely to be jolted to and fro in their truck before the truck fully comes to a stop. It's quite possible that they will walk away a little bruised and battered. The same is true for our lives whenever we have been on a downward spiral. Even when someone lovingly steps in and we choose to veer off our destructive course, it won't mean that all pain will be averted. However, it should lessen the extent of the pain and the fatal nature that it could have had.
Take some time to thank God for sending those people who have functioned as "runaway ramps" in your life. If you are ever put in the position to operate as someone else's escape route, by all means, step up and do it for their safety and their future. You might have been put in their life for such a time as this.
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