Romans 15:32 - Oasis

Tri State Tollway Lincoln Oasis, Chicago

When I was a kid, some innovative rest stops were added to the interstate highways around Chicago. Instead of a rest stop on either side of the highway, or a shared rest stop in the median, there would be a bridge crossing over the freeway. On either side of the bridge, were gas stations and parking lots. The bridge itself wasn't for traffic. It was a fast-food restaurant shared by the traffic going in both directions. It was called an "oasis," elsewhere known as a bridge restaurant. I never quite saw the connection to the historic image of a oasis--palm trees surrounding a pond or small lake in the middle of a desert. (Eg., Exodus 15:27)

My wife and I just spent three days on the road, traveling from Arizona to Iowa. The trip was broken up by rest stops, food stops, and two overnight stays in hotels. We got enough sleep to keep going, but I can't say it was particularly restful.

In the last leg of our trip we decided to stop and visit some treasured friends that we hadn't seen in a while. We shared at length what God had been doing in our lives, especially in 2020 and the ensuing months. We all prayed together before parting company. That brief visit refreshed our spirits more than the rest stops, restaurants, and hotels. It was a genuine oasis.

Paul asked the Christians in Rome to pray "that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and find refreshing rest in your company." (Romans 15:32, New American Standard 1995)

Lord, when we meet with others, particularly fellow-believers, give to them, to us... to all of us... the refreshment that comes from mutually pursuing the will of God for our lives. Amen.

Photo sources:
Tri State Tollway Lincoln Oasis https://turnpikeinfo.com/view-exit.php?state=illinois&road_name=tri-state-tollway&key=1_plaz

Oasis in Libya  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis