Winding roads & Straight Paths

The interesting thing about going on a journey is that there are times where you can see a long way down the road. Then there are times when the road is winding so much, that you can't see around the next bend.

And even sometimes you can see in the distance how the road will come around, but you can't see that path around the corner that will get you to that portion of the road.

This is the general path that my life is taking at this point. I have hope that the future (the path that I can see) will bring about the things that I have been desiring. But, I can't see how I am going to get from Point A to Point B.

Most of us know it's best to change the oil in our cars every 3,000 miles to ensure that the engine has clean oil to do its best to keep everything running smoothly. I know that I want my car to keep running for at least another several thousand miles, so I know that I must keep up on this maintenance. But as apart of this maintenance, I need to be prepared to take the time to get this oil change scheduled.

Preparation.
I've been doing a great deal of pondering on the idea of preparation. It seems that while I wait to see what is around the bend, I have not been all that good in this area. I throw way too many parties (the pity kind) that results in more brokeness and discontent. This is such a waste of precious time that I have here. One of the most profound thoughts in life is that no one is richer or poorer when it comes to time. We all have 24 hours to accomplish the things we need to. Some are more more efficient with this time.

I don't know how my journey will meet the road that I believe exists, but one thing is for certain this is the time to develop the character that God desires for me. To learn and put into practice humility, compassion, grace & complete surrender to God. Though I know that this journey will have its fair share of highs & lows, I can be certain that there will be times of deep stability - or straight paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on
your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make
your paths
straight.

Father God, I pray that I will be energized to use this time that I have for growing closer to you. Give my heart the desire to follow the sound of your voice and teach me to give you my stolen moments - to keep from letting distractions keep me from being ready to do your will. Thank you for blessings you give today and the fulfillment of promises you have planned for tomorrow. Amen.

Promises, promises, promises

There is something about a broken promise that really affects me. Whether it be a friend who "forgot" to call, or when someone failed to take care of something that they said they would handle.

I know that I could give you account of different ways in which someone has broken a promise. But let me shift my thoughts to God in regards to broken promises. Does He "forget" or not do something He said He would? It sure seems that way a lot of times. As I sit here in this uncomfortable path in life, I wonder "Did God really promise that He would never leave me or forsake me?"

I began reading in 1 Peter 5, and some of my discouragements were answered for me.

"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after
you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong,
firm and steadfast."

This verse gave me a promise that I just couldn't ignore.
When I think back to other times within my life, I can identify specific times when everything seemed all okay within my soul. I can even remember some deep disappointments, and the path out of that pain & suffering. So this verse can give me the same encouragement that He has PROMISED that after I have suffered a little while, God WILL restore me and make me strong & steadfast.

God is good to His promises.

[Enter my inquisitive mind]

"How can I stand firm and not fall while I am in this place of great discontentment & suffering?"

Well, reading earlier in 1 Peter 5, I saw the following:

"Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand"
"Cast all your anxiety on him"

God's word does not tell me that He will take away my suffering (though He may restore me & make me strong & steadfast) but his word DOES say that I need to be Humble & Cast my anxiety on Him. I can be certain in those time of true selfishness, I do neither of these.

As I learn to perservere in this trial, I pray that I will learn to submit to God in these areas. What do I have to lose? What do you have to lose? It seems that when we submit our hearts over to God with all of our wants & desires He will help direct those desires to what He wants & it more than pleases Him to be able to satisfy those desires.

May you experience the freedom of trusting God with your desires.