~reflections~musings~inspirations~insights~and life lessons learned by one who is
whole-heartedly, steadfastly, firmly in HIS grip~

Romans 1:6 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."


Friday, August 27, 2010

Running the Gauntlet

Papaw and I are creatures of habit so our day-to-day lives are fairly predictable. We tend to like things organized, scheduled and planned...well, I do anyway. Some might say our lives are mundane but I say at our age we are at a certain "comfort level."

Needless to say that routine includes places we go... mainly work, church, the grocery store, and sometimes out to eat at one of our usual restaurants. It is easy for me to get lost in thought or prayer when driving as each destination is one I have been to almost a million times.

I love turning the radio up loud and singing off key or praying at the top of my lungs and today was no different. That is until a beat up truck pulled out in front of me towing a ragged, half rotted Pinto. The tires on that car must have been as old as I am! Stuff was flying off that thing like nobody's business. I dodged large and small pieces of rubber, tire wire and wood for ten miles. Each piece just laying there waiting to sink into my tire and ruin my already packed day.

My journey this morning is much like life's journey. The road is scattered with the debris of bad decisions (or good decisions gone awry)temptations, disease, hurt, anger and a myriad of other distractions and dangers. As Christians, we are able to swerve, dodge, and steer clear of the obstacles through our one-on-one relationship with the Lord. We move as the Holy Spirit directs our steps and are able to avoid serious damage.

Though sometimes a little piece of that wire goes unnoticed and we have to pull over and change a tire we are merely experiencing a minor set-back. Again, much the same is life...a disruption, consequences of our own actions, or blind sided by some tragedy... we as Christians can pull to the side for a time and be still and know He is God.

I take comfort in knowing that along my journey I can look back and see the times when the Lord has taken the wheel and delivered me to HIS destination. The thing is... I had to let go. I had to stop. I had to give up on my own plans, desires, and aspirations and let Him steer me in the direction of His work, and many times... most times... it was not on my schedule or in the realm of my routine.

It is, I have to admit,during these side trips in life that I have had the most excitement, been witness to God's wonderful, amazing power and seen the Lord do marvelous things. And while today I was able to successfully guide my car through the obstacle course left in the wake of that Pinto I am personally pulled over and waiting expectantly once again as the Lord navigates me through the trash on the road of life and into His glory.

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings (Selah) May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:1-7~NIV

1 comment:

Thanks for stopping by...I look forward to seeing you again!