In order to make our way to Wyoming, we cross the Continental Divide. It makes me think about how divided we are in this country and across the world. This divide follows along mountainous peaks of the Rocky Mountains and it seems insurmountable to approach. It stretches all the way from the Straits of Magellan to to the Bering Strait. It’s purpose is to direct the flow of water.

Much like what we are going through as a country, there are histories and maps and truths written through experience that help mark this territory as the Great Divide. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are made aware by the signs on the road. Likely many may never research or understand the landscape, it’s purpose, or it’s significance. It’s their loss. Yet, it’s my hope we can use the markings to talk about the divides that exist in relationships and how we manage the flow of communication, especially when we feel we are moving in opposite directions. My prayer is we can find we have more in common than we could have imagined. We are all more broken than we allow most people to see. Like the long lines building outside the entrance to explore the parks, what if we were all lined up to explore our hearts?

Like these sea gulls who are a long ways from water, we might feel lost too. It’s not too late to change directions or ask for help to find our way back to a space of understanding.

You may be carrying a burden that feels too heavy to bear any more. It could be bitterness, hatred, hurt, anger, pride or any number of emotions related to your own experiences. Maybe it stretches across your life and has created a divide between you, someone you love, or worse… between a community of people. Maybe you have carried the burden around so long you don’t even realize how heavy and deep it goes and how it affects you and those around you.

It’s time to acknowledge what’s keeping us from being loved or from loving others well. Let the waters flow over you, examine you and carry you in the right direction. Feel the freedom you were meant to know. Do all you can every day to understand you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) to reflect One image…not a divided self. So is every person around you. Let the great divide be what brings us together to go forward in love.