Construction Delays

Driving up I-95 on the long trip home from our Florida vacation, we found ourselves delayed a couple of times.  The flow of traffic slowed to a crawl making me wonder if there was an accident or a breakdown ahead.  What we found after a few miles were men working to  build better roads! Yes, we were delayed by construction.  What a parable for my life, and perhaps, for yours.

We are rolling along, going through the regular routines of life and then we stall. Nothing flows, everything is an effort.  I am frustrated by that pace, when one day’s work resists completion, spilling into the next. I wonder why I can’t put on the cruise control and get back to ‘life.’  

 It may be that God, the Holy Spirit, has us ‘under construction.’  I have been in that place recently.  Some new patterns of thinking, relating, understanding my world are being put into place.  I know that it will be better when He is finished, but I confess that the process is about as enjoyable as sitting in traffic on an interstate highway!

On I-95, slowing from 75 MPH to about 5 MPH made me irritable, at first. I just wanted to get to NJ, to unpack my bags and settle down. But, the roadway isn’t made just for me!  Engineers are building a new road that will meet the needs of many people for many years. They looked at the supports of bridges built 50 years ago and realized they were corroded, needing replacing. So, they made a choice to tear up the road, even though they knew it would be an inconvenience for those of us who travel.   

Our lives are not just about us, either.  God sees attitudes, habits, and patterns that once served His plans but now they have become old, stale, or even corrupted by sin!  And, He loves us enough to begin construction, reshaping us so that we will be effective in His work.  He sees accumulated sin, corruption hidden from our eyes but plain to His, and He purposes to ‘make all things new!’

God’s people in ancient Judah found their way of life destroyed, everything ripped up.  Was it all over? Would life ever be ‘right’ again?  Here’s how the Lord answered their questions. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise." (Isaiah 43:18-21, NIV)

Trust Him! Let Him work!  In faith, anticipate the new that will allow you to ‘proclaim His praise,’ all the more joyfully for years to come. “God said, “Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness: ‘Prepare a pathway for the Lord’s coming! Make a straight road for him!’ ” (Mark 1:2-3, NLT)

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The Potter's Hand

Beautiful Lord,

Wonderful Saviour,

I know for sure,

All of my days

Are held in Your hand,

Crafted into Your perfect plan.

You gently call me

Into Your presence,

Guiding me by

Your Holy Spirit,

Teach me, dear Lord,

To live all of my life

Through Your eyes.

I'm captured by Your holy calling!

Set me apart, I know You're drawing

Me to Yourself!

Lead me, Lord, I pray.

Take me! Mould me!

Use me! Fill me!

I give my life

To the Potter's hand.

Call me! Guide me!

Lead me, walk beside me!

I give my life

To the Potter's hand.

Darlene Zschech

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