Toward the end of a long day of travel on Friday, I reflected on something I’ve heard before, that most auto accidents occur in the last few miles of a trip (i.e. near home).
After driving about 8 hours, and nearing our destination, it struck me that one reason that may be the case is that in the closing miles of a trip, you enter familiar territory, and because the territory is familiar, you don’t have to stay as focused on the task at hand. In other words, you become less alert.
I thought of Jesus’ words in Mark 13.32-36 …
“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! “The coming of the Son of Man can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. When he left home, he gave each of his slaves instructions about the work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.
We must stay alert at all times, even on what seems familiar territory because we really never know what might happen at any given time.
Be on guard! Stay alert!