Brussels by night

I had the opportunity to bring a friend home, so she wouldn’t have to take a train, a bus and a long walk. My friend lives in Brussels. In the centre. A place I will avoid if I can. My brain is not made for the chaos of the traffic in that city. But hey, helping a friend is always a good idea. So off we went. I took pride in the fact that I drove to her house without using gps and even without asking her left or right. I won’t mention the fact that I have brought her home at least 15 times, so I should know the way by now. Indeed, I won’t mention it.

After being all happy and proud that I found her house on my own, I decided to take the chance and drive home without gps too. It was a beautiful night and my heart longed for some Dire Straits. I pressed radio button number 6 to get the only Radio Station that still regularly plays them. I landed in the middle of one of my dad’s favourites of theirs. And I breathed the music in. There were also other smells that came out of restaurants and there was the scent of a certain type of flower or tree… The sun was setting, conclusion: It was amazing.

I decided to not take the tunnels, so I could keep enjoying the city for once. Maybe I should start taking an interest in this city, maybe it isn’t that bad after all. I passed the tram museum and drove on. I turned around again because the sign said I needed to, and then… Incroyable! I started to recognise where I was and I smiled. I did it, I drove in and out of Brussels by my self!

On the road that leads to my town, I was first overtaken by a big fat BMW and straight after that by a Porsche that was just as fat. We all met again by the traffic lights, both of them next to each other, the drivers talking to each other. I was getting excited! I had recently watched one of the Fast&Furious films, and now it was about to happen in front of my eyes.

GREEN! SMOKE/TYRES-WERE-SINGING-ROCKSONGS!

They raced away, laughing and braking and racing and more braking. The Red circle with 70 in the middle looked at them with pen and paper in hand and they knew it!

We all met again by the traffic lights, after which the same thing happened!

GREEN! SMOKE/TYRES-WERE-SINGING-ROCKSONGS/VIN-DIESEL-WAS-THERE-TOO-NOW!

They finally chose different routes home, so I ended up next to the BMW. The man inside was my age. I said cheekily: ‘And somehow we are both here again.’ He laughed and we had a little chat about fun, danger, fines and more fun.

Don’t you realise that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?
So run to win!
(1 Corinthians 9:24)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
(Hebrews 12:1)

Even though those 2 racers got to the finish (traffic light) faster than me, we all ended up there, and somehow I knew that before they even started. But if I would have stopped driving because my car wasn’t as fast as theirs, I’d still be somewhere by the outskirts of Brussels now. I think for myself, I need to understand that:

1. I need endurance, keep going, don’t give up.
2. I need to run to win!
3. I will only get to the finish when I know the route.
4. Getting to know the route involves lots of practice or a trusted gps.

With Paul, I would like to say the following:

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.
And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8)

_{Photo by Oliver Petryon at Pexels}