Last night we grabbed some family time and watched the kid movie Cars by Disney / Pixar. It is a fun full length animation about the value of humility and friendship over pride and independence. Moreover, there is little overt objectionable content that I perceived.

 

Some have objected to the opening theme song by Rascal Flatts, Life is a Highway. The hard driving beat of this tune could rev the engine and spin the tires of even the oldest family sedan. The lyrics paint a picture comparing enjoyment of life’s pleasures with the thrill of driving on a highway all night long. Everyone who is into racing understands the thrill of driving their hot rod down a straight, smooth, and sanctioned drag strip or hugging the curves on the top or bottom of the NASCAR track.

 

Yet, as I reflected further I was reminded that our lives are not yet on a smooth highway, but on dirty and dangerous trails. And worse it is too easy for our self-centered hearts to rejoice in the trail we have blazed for ourselves while closing our eyes to the needs of those who are still lost in the wilderness.

 

The prophet Isaiah also speaks about God’s highway saying, “Yahweh will strike Egypt, striking and healing. They will return to Yahweh, and he will be entreated by them, and will heal them. In that day there will be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria; and the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians. In that day, Israel will be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth; because Yahweh of Armies has blessed them, saying, ‘Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance,’" (Isaiah 19:22-25).

 

Though we may be pleased with the highway we have cobbled for ourselves, God will not stop till he has paved a highway for all nations. Ladies and gentlemen start your engines… Jesus is the on ramp to the eternal highway!

 

Isaiah speaks radical encouragement to believers in Jesus Christ. First it is clear that the Lord struck Egypt to punish them, but his ultimate purpose is to finally heal them. Second we see that a future highway is promised, so we do not have to pretend that we are on a highway now while suffering in the wilderness of this life. We do not have to hide our longing for God’s highway because we have confidence it will be built “in that day.”

 

And until then, with God’s help, we will reach out to help others who are struggling along the path or lost altogether.   Finally, believers can take great joy, excitement, and anticipation in God’s coming highway. He is faithful!

 

Dare we compare the messages of Rascal Flatts and Jesus Christ side by side? Race with Rascal Flatts, worshipping the creation instead of the creator, and prepare to fix more than a flat tire after your joy ride ends with a crash and burn. Race with the Christian race team, worshipping Christ for his undefeated grace and incredible creation, and fasten your seatbelts for the wild road trip of eternity!