Navigating Jamaican Roads: Spiritual Lessons from Potholes

Jamaican roads, apart from the beautiful coastal thoroughfares, are some of the most difficult to maneuver due to the prevalence of infamous potholes. A pothole, by definition, is “a structural failure in a road surface, caused primarily by the presence of water in the underlying soil structure and traffic passing over the affected area.” What this definition doesn’t capture is the reality of encountering a pothole that more resembles a crater created by an asteroid.

Despite the bad reputation of Jamaican roads, there are lessons to be learned from the various types of potholes. This blog will explore five types of ‘asphalt depressions’ and the spiritual lessons we can gain from them: the ‘surprise,’ the ‘partial,’ the ‘unavoidable,’ the ‘impassable,’ and the ‘ambush’ potholes. These potholes are presented in progressive order of difficulty, mirroring our spiritual journey, where we mature to face new and more challenging obstacles.

As much as we clamour for perfect road conditions, we must lower our expectations in our life’s journey. It will not always be smooth sailing. If you always want an easy path, you may end up on a broad road that leads to destruction.

The Surprise

When you are bolting from point A to B on the main road, the last thing you expect to find is a pothole. However, when you encounter a surprise pothole, you are left with no choice but to hit it and pray it won’t cost a trip to the mechanic. Often, you only realize it after you’ve already bumped your tire in it. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we sometimes get shocking news, like the sudden death of a loved one or unexpected medical costs. These surprises can deeply impact our pockets, emotions, and physical energy.

However, the word of God reminds us: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The key thought is that God will help us bear it, whether or not it is a surprise. Nothing takes God by surprise! He is always on time and available.

The Partial

If surprising potholes were all we had to face, life would be fairly manageable. But we also encounter partial potholes that we see from a distance and have to make up our minds to put a tire or two in them. These potholes are like situations where you either hit them or face worse consequences, but you can slow down and make your way through. Helping a neighbor in a tough situation, for instance, is a noble yet resource-draining task.

Romans 12:10-15 encourages us to be devoted to one another, honor each other, and be patient in affliction. Helping others is a positive principle that calls for patience, generosity, and sympathy. In our fast-paced world, plan to help someone along the way, slow down, and be kind.

The Unavoidable

By now, you may have seen more serious potholes than surprising and partial ones. The unavoidable monsters seem to want to swallow the entire vehicle. You pass them daily, and they become a part of your life. These situations often arise from neglect, whether by those responsible for maintaining the road or by ourselves in our spiritual maintenance.

We must regularly examine our spiritual condition and relationships. Hosea 10:12 advises us to plant good seeds of righteousness and seek the Lord to shower righteousness upon us. Sometimes, we must face these potholes head-on and accept where we’ve gone wrong. The good news is, you don’t have to face it alone. David’s prayer in Psalm 51 after his sin with Bathsheba is a model for us to seek God’s mercy and renewal.

The Impassable

While most potholes can be navigated with some discomfort, some are impassable. These are the chasms that challenge you to turn back. You may be tempted to give up due to a difficult situation. Overcoming these potholes requires complete confidence in God. Jesus tells us that even with a little faith, we can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

God makes a way where there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:16-21). He has plans for us beyond what we can imagine. Don’t give up and don’t turn back. Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).

The Ambush

Finally, there is the pothole ambush—a series of potholes where you have to make up your mind to hit one or two or maybe all of them. Life sometimes throws one calamity after another at us. Yet, every experience in life has a season. The Psalmist declares: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).

God promises comfort: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). Following Jesus will be a bumpy ride, but it is worth it to remember that endurance and faith will bring great reward. No pothole, Jamaican or otherwise, is too deep or too wide for us to go through. By the grace of God, we can make it through all of them. Keep pressing forward, nurturing your soul through prayer, Bible study, and being a living witness for God. Be blessed!