Offroad

I was in the backseat when the wheel came off. It was spring of 2009 on a dirt road in eastern Mongolia. The problem was partly that a dozen people were packed in this minivan-sized “Mikro-bus”. But the main problem was the road from Choibalsan to Ulaanbaatar had long stretches of unpaved dirt roads, and drivers often made their own road beside the main one. The resulting tangle of “choose your own way” dirt roads with deep ruts and crazy washboard bumps were hard on the vehicles and on the passengers. We had banged our head on the ceiling a few times going over the bumps.

One of these bumps finally broke the camel’s back and the van suddenly lurched sideways. We felt the the right back corner of the bus dragging loudly through the sandy dirt until we came to a stop. I thought we had blown a tire, but no, the whole wheel had come off.  And it wasn’t that the lugnuts had some loose…  the five metal bolts that held the wheel had completely sheered off.  

It was getting cold on the Mongolian steppe as the sun had just set. Our group of volunteer missionaries and English teachers included two young women and a senior couple. In the distance we saw a Mongolian Ger (yurt), and a shepherd on a motorcycle drove over to us to invite us in. As our driver and a friend figured out how replace the wheel bolts we were welcomed into the home of this nomad herdsman family, who offered us warm milk and bread.

In recalling this story A Mongolian song I learned came to mind. The translation is roughly, “Like the horses on the green steppe appear silvery, the words of my wise father are always true: if you go aright, you’ll have happiness even in your dreams. If you go right, you’ll have a smooth, smooth road.”

I have thought a lot about the difference of being on a paved road, makes.  The difference of having a road at all.

Life is full of choices, and this life we find ourselves in allows us to choose our path. Many voices suggest there isn’t a right and wrong at all. The gospel of Jesus Christ says there is a way.

We have all spent some time traveling rough roads, or in the frustration of spinning our wheals, and feeling like we’re offtrack. Our time wandering bumpy roads prepares us to appreciate the beauty and peace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As the prophet Alma taught: “the way is prepared that whosoever (wants to) may walk therein and be saved.” Alma 41:8

The gospel path of following Jesus Christ is not always easy, but it is a better way.

The path includes learning about Jesus Christ by studying His life and words. His words come to us through those He sent and still sends. His path includes life-changing repentance, and living by faith in Him. Promising to try to remember Him and keep His commandments. Striving to forgive others and ourselves; to serve and love.

As a teen I was invited to get more fully on the path by the example of friends whose lives had a certain power and beauty, because they had a focus on following His path.

I can testify that following Jesus Christ makes life better. It makes decisions simpler. He makes relationships richer. His peace is like the relief of driving on a fresh paved road.

We all get off at times. Sometimes we struggle to find the road.

I am grateful that He has provided a path, and ways back to it. The road is there for us to travel back to our heavenly home.