One of the conveniences that I truly appreciate is the GPS mapping function of my smartphone. I set my destination and my way is mapped out for me. Sometimes mid-trip I receive a messages that a course correction is needed due to delays ahead. The software signals me that a better route is available and gives me two options – accept the new route or remain with the one I chose previously. I’ll admit that sometimes I find it hard to deviate from the plan! I’m just committed to the highways first selected. Silly, isn’t it? But there is a life lesson there.
Have you boxed yourself with plans that are so rigid that you
cannot adapt well to the things that life brings your way?
Have you defined yourself in a certain way for so long that
you feel you cannot change the way you act, even if you want to, because of
your ‘identity?’
Planning is a good thing and goals are a way to keep
ourselves from drifting through life, but change comes that demand that we
reassess as we respond to unforeseen developments.
Christian, the best life, one that honors the Lord in the best way, will choose to respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Gordon MacDonald, author and pastor, writes about those ‘disruptive moments’ that God allows into life as a means of re-centering us on His purposes and leading us to a richer experience of Who He is. Gordon refers to the Interstate road system to illustrate his point. Interstates allow us to drive at 70 miles per hour, traveling efficiently fom point “A” to “B.” There are no cross roads requiring stoplights. Curves are long and sweeping so as not to slow traffic. However, when a person travels on those roads, you don’t get to experience the local culture, the little shops, the restaurants that are not part of a national chain.
If you choose travel on secondary roads “they wind through small towns and villages … you see things on them, even though it takes more time and caution to travel them. Secondary roads do not promise unhindered passage. Sometimes they are poorly maintained. … Each town has one police officer with a radar unit designed to raise revenue. … Be prepared for the inevitable slow-moving vehicle that keeps you crawling along for miles in no-passing zones. … There are many potential disruptions along the way.” (The Life God Blesses)
If the Lord of Life permits you to experience ‘disruptive moments,’ how will you respond? Angrily? Fearfully? Desperately attempting to re-assert control and force your plans?
OR –
Will you prayerfully let Him lead, asking Him to show you
the opportunities created by the unforeseen circumstances in which you find yourself?
That job loss could be a way He leads you into a job more
suited to your family’s needs. That sickness could be an invitation to slow
down the pace of life and to enrich your relationships with others. That call from aging parents that asks you to
help could be a way He is letting you choose what is more important.
Yes, friend, I can tell you from life’s
experiences that those painful situations you resent so bitterly are often
an open invitation to greater faith and new dreams. Solomon reminds us that "There is a
time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. … A time to be born and a time to die. A time
to plant and a time to harvest. … A time to search and a time to lose. A time
to keep and a time to throw away." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 6, NLT) Paul urges us to listen "Since we
live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians
5:25, NIV)
We are people of the Spirit, Who lives not just with us but in us. As we pray for greater faith, we can embrace life, changing as necessary, taking each day as His gift as we make the most of the opportunities. When we do this, we become people full of the fruit that is evidence of His life in us – Loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kindness, and self-controlled.
Here’s the word from the Word. May it bless you with His peace this day.
"To keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me." (2 Corinthians 12:7-9, NLT)
(Video of this blog at this link)
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Guide
Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Guide me O Thou great Jehovah
Pilgrim through this barren land
I am weak but Thou art mighty
Hold me with Thy pow'rful hand
Bread of heaven Bread of heaven
Feed me now and ever more
Feed me now and ever more
Open now the crystal fountain
Whence the healing stream doth flow
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through
Strong Deliverer strong Deliverer
Be Thou still my strength and shield
Be Thou still my strength and shield
When I tread the verge of Jordan
Bid my anxious fears subside
Death of death and hell's destruction
Land me safe on Canaan's side
Songs of praises songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee
I will ever give to Thee
John Hughes | Peter Williams | William Williams
© Words: Public Domain
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