“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed…”
Romans 6:17
My family and I were recently driving to visit dear friends in Branson, Missouri, and we were struck by how similar the lines on a highway are to rules and regulations we impose upon ourselves and others. On the one hand, if we didn’t have lines, we would face chaos (so we need them). However, if we spent all our time focused on the lines, we would have wasted a lot of resources (to say the least). A few observations:
- Lines (like rules and regulations) are necessary but not sufficient to change a heart.
- It follows that expending excessive resources on making the lines ornate (such as drawing pictures on them) is futile.
- Therefore, just as on a highway, the driver operating within the lines brings the journey to a successful end; so too does a God-centered, Christ-honoring, Holy Spirit-empowered, Word-aligned heart joyfully bring a Christian pilgrimage to its end.
(1) The Necessity of Lines
When driving on the highway, one notices an array of different lines. Some lines are solid, some are dashed, some are white, some are yellow, and more. Outside the lines, there may be concrete barriers, thick cables serving as guardrails, or an embankment to keep vehicles from crossing into oncoming traffic. The purpose of each line is understood by its color and character. These lines communicate an expectation for each driver, enabling safe passage for all its travelers. If we didn’t have lines, we would have chaos.
(2) The Futility of Overemphasis
At the same time, it would be quite awkward for an artist to paint beautiful portraits and artwork on the solid lines, hoping that all that work will prevent a driver from going off the road or into other cars. Even a child knows that a solid line on a road (no matter how well it is painted) would never prevent a distracted driver from crossing it. In the same way, overemphasizing rules and regulations is insufficient to change a distracted heart. Something more is required.
(3) A Joyful Journey
Just like the varied roads, lines, colors, and other drivers, life presents many challenges, difficulties, and wonderful experiences. Ups and downs. Surprises and successes. Really, our Christian pilgrimage is a collection of wonderful and complex mysteries that make up our life that we can neither ultimately plan for nor control. However, for a vehicle to arrive at its destination safely, it must not only abide by road rules and regulations but also be guided by a driver with the right motivations. In the same way, a Christian must, like a well-motivated driver, have a healthy heart that is focused on the right things. The focus of a Christian must consider his or her heart’s affections and desires.
A Way Forward
Whether it’s parenting, ministry, relationships, managing our own wishes and wants, and more, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
The obvious question: What cultivates a healthy heart?
Many answers, but I want to offer one today. God’s Word, which endureth forever, is one of the greatest gifts for Christians on pilgrimage to cultivate a healthy heart, because it points us to our God who loved us and gave Himself up for us to reconcile and redeem us to Himself. Whether it is reading, studying, meditating upon, or memorizing, it is God’s Word; we must engage the all-sufficient God and His gospel to realign, recalibrate, and renew ourselves to know God and make Him known.
So when you look at lines and dashes on a highway on your next trip, remind yourself of their importance and limitations. Remember that only a driver motivated to live within the boundaries enjoys not only the trip but its completion. In the same way, standards and guidelines help us on our Christian pilgrimage, keeping us in line and aligned with God’s Word. Yet it is ultimately a heart seeking to know God and to make Him known that not only flourishes in difficulty but also remains humble in success.
Consider the role of the gospel of Jesus Christ in everyday life. Amen.
— July 9, 2026