“Your word is a lamp for my feet and light for my path.”
Psalm 119:115
I recently went to see the Grand Canyon for the first time with a dear friend. We flew to Nevada, but then rented a car. Our road trip included Hoover Dam, Sedona, AZ and the Grand Canyon, of course. We had many experiences on those highways in the desert and it made me think about roads.
First of all, old roads lead to old destinations. Old roads are familiar. We can become so accustomed to them that we don’t even “see” the road signs, street numbers, exits or traffic lights. It’s comfortable, almost automatic. The “old roads” in our spirts can be like that. We can get to a place where we’re not even aware of where we’re heading. We’ve just always gone this way. But, do the old roads take us back to toxic people, brokenness or destructive plans? Beware of these roads! “Let us examine and probe our ways. And let us return to God.” ~Lamentations 3:40
Secondly, God’s plan for us is a new destination. And, that means new roads. “Lord, I will follow you wherever you go.” ~Luke 9:57. New roads are unfamiliar. They can make us feel insecure and even uncomfortable. New roads require attention to our directions. Is there a hidden exit? Are parts of the road unpaved? Are there changes in the speed limit or miles of construction?
We can’t reach a new destination in our life on an old road. The Holy Spirit is our GPS, so to speak. He knows exactly where we’re going and how to get there. Our job is to get enough fuel for the trip. That would be consuming God’s word each day so our tanks are full. Then, we make sure our windows are clean so our visibility is accurate. That comes from obeying His word, as we follow His direction. We may need to even kick our tires now and then to check our traction.
The new road may have construction delays, heavy traffic, blind curves, long uphill grades and other aggravating drivers, but the new destination is worth it!
If we try to avoid all difficulties on our journey, we are simply arresting our development. And, what God has planned is even BETTER than the Grand Canyon!
John 10:10: “I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it MORE abundantly.”
Happy Trails!!
~Vickie Richey