Every once in a while, in the middle of an ordinary or normal occurrence, I have an analogy hit me. Now trust me, these analogies are not from me - for in and of myself I am not capable of imagining or creating them. However, with all of that said, today I felt the need to share an analogy that the Lord gave me last summer while my family and I were traveling on a road trip to Alaska and back.
On one particular morning, we packed up our camp as usual, left the campsite, and were heading down the road when suddenly the GPS, to our amazement, informed us that we were approaching a right turn. This seemed both odd and unreliable since the "right turn" we were suppose to make would take us off the paved road and onto a less inviting rocky and dirt path. Almost the entire family, upon hearing this, assumed that the GPS was wrong and being the back seat drivers that we are, we suggested that my Dad remain on the paved road instead.
To our momentary dismay our Father turned off the paved road and onto the rocky and dirt one. Needless to say, the minutes that followed were filled with bumps and jolts that were quite unpleasant. As mile after mile passed, I began to believe that my inkling regarding the 'right way' was correct. Could the highway really be this way? I wondered. Stranger still, along the side of the path were huge boulders and dry grass dotted here and there, amidst adventurous campers and their overnight gear. We really are going the wrong way! I thought as we hit bump after bump in the road.
Several minutes later we finally reached the end of the long and dusty path that my Father had chosen. Regardless of my doubting, he was right, it did take us to the highway.
This real-life analogy reminds of the way that my spiritual walk often goes. Sometimes, as I travel through life, God, my GPS, will suddenly stop me and to my dismay direct me toward another path - one that is less traveled or more rustic and intimidating. God reassures me though, that it is the right way and that I need only to trust him. I, on the other hand, choose sometimes to worry and doubt instead of trusting in his direction and leadership. Ultimately, however, he knows best.
I have no idea what you are going through as we begin 2014. I don't know if you are on the "paved road" of life, filled with smooth travel and easy going adventures, or the "bumpy-rocky" one instead, filled with challenges and struggles. Regardless though, I encourage you to remember that God is in control of every situation and that if you follow his direction he will lead you to where he wants you to go. Hang in there and trust him! He ultimately knows best!
