The Roads We Travel: Gratitude on the Journey
The Daily Devotional
Sunday, June 29, 2025
The Roads We Travel: Gratitude on the Journey
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Introduction
On June 29, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act, launching the United States Interstate Highway System. Today, we travel these roads daily without much thought—zipping across states, visiting loved ones, or moving goods—rarely pausing to appreciate the freedom and connection they afford. Likewise, in our spiritual lives, we can easily take for granted the many ways God provides pathways for growth, healing, and grace.
Reflection
Consider the thousands of miles of roads that stretch across the country—engineered with precision, funded with foresight, and paved over decades. Most of us don’t reflect on who built them or how they came to be. We simply get in our cars and go.
Similarly, we often overlook the blessings God has laid out before us—stable jobs, loving relationships, the sunrise after a storm. Like our highways, these blessings are so woven into daily life that we barely notice them unless they're taken away.
An older couple in an RV once shared that it wasn’t until their GPS failed on a rural detour that they realized how dependent—and thankful—they were for clear, open roads. The chaos of being lost became a moment of humble gratitude for something they once saw as ordinary.
Application
Take a moment today to notice what you've been taking for granted—your health, a friend’s loyalty, the water from your tap, or even the paved road that leads you home. Say a prayer of thanks for each one. Develop the habit of grateful observation, and you’ll find your days filled with more contentment and less complaint.
Conclusion
Gratitude is more than politeness—it’s a posture of the heart that acknowledges the Giver behind every good gift. Whether it's the interstates that connect us or the mercies that sustain us, giving thanks aligns our hearts with God's will and renews our sense of wonder for the journey.
Prayer
Lord of every mile and moment, thank You for the blessings I so easily overlook. Help me slow down and recognize Your hand in the ordinary rhythms of life. Teach me to walk each day with a grateful heart, and to never take for granted the grace You’ve paved before me. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
