As I once again made my journey to work today I was traveling down the highway asking God what we were gong to write about today. Today was a different drive because I turned off all music and made the drive in silence, asking God to just speak to me as I drove. The 1st few miles were quiet, and then I began to see everything He was going to teach me on this drive.
As I was going down the highway, car after car was either passing me, or being passed by me. I was looking intently at each car as this was happening...noticing the car and the driver. Each car was headed north on route 23, as I was headed to Circleville. However, just because we were all headed in the same direction, we were not all going where I was going. In fact, we all weren't even going to Circleville, some were going to keep going on down the road after I have stopped. I have been making this drive to the same job for 17 years now. I used the same roads, I made the same turns. Is there other ways to get to my job, yes.....are they the best way to get there, no. I have learned over the past 17 years the best way to get to where I am going....the smartest, the quickest, and the safest. But I have also had to learn that there are lots of other ways to get there....but that doesn't mean I should go that way.
As I looked at each car passing me I couldn't help but wonder where they were going? Was this their 1st time going this way? Is this a familiar road to them, or is this the 1st time they have gone this way? But the other thing I was thinking is this......Since I know where I am supposed to go, wouldn't it be so foolish of me to follow one of them and expect to get where I am supposed to? Their journey, their path, the road they are traveling, is not going to get me where I need to go. And it is VERY important for me to know that. Yes, we may be traveling in the same "direction", but eventually I am going to have to make the turn that I need to so I can end up where I am supposed to be.
Our walk with God is so much like this drive to work. As I travel this journey with God there is some place He needs me to go....someplace He needs me to be. Yes others may be traveling in the same direction as me on my journey, but I can't just follow them. He has specific directions for me. If I follow them they are going to get me where I am supposed to be. However, if I try to just follow someone else, I am not being obedient to the call of God. I am just being a follower. And just like the cars on the road beside me, just because we all "seem" to be traveling in the same direction, doesn't mean we are headed to the same place. Be very careful who you "follow" because you could end up lost. Their is a specific set of directions that are going to get you where you need to be. You are not to follow, you are not to travel blindly, you are not to just head off in one direction and hope for the best. You are to communicate with the One that knows where you need to be and let Him show you that path. He will!
One other thing....as I drove down the highway I noticed cars that were nicer than mine, and some that weren't as nice as mine. (much like the life of others around me) But this is another thing that is NOT good to be focused on. Envy and/or pride will lead you nowhere good. As you travel the path God has you on, do not let envy settle in as you look at the lives of others....and do not let pride take over as God begins to get you into a good place. If you are doing what He has called you to do, then NONE of it is of "you" anyway. It is HIS path for you...follow it...praise Him on the tough days of that path, give Him glory on the good days of that path.....but NEVER lose sight that the enemy wants to wreck you and God wants to prosper you. Don't mix those 2 things up. Rebuke the enemy and move forward when satan tries to knock you off your path.....and praise God and give thanks when He blesses you! Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Even if it felt like "you" did that....remember who gave you the gifts and talents to do it!
God has a place that He wants to get you, and a specific way He wants to get you there. If you seek this, He will show you! You were born with a God given purpose that only you can do!
God, help us chase after all that you have for us. Help us to take our eyes off of the lives, the paths, the good and the bad of others and just go after what you have called us to do. Help be wise enough, through You, to not just follow the paths of others, but find and walk the very specific path that You have for us so we can end up at the place that always wanted us to be. And help us not to walk our journey out always comparing ourselves to those around us, but just make sure we are being exactly what you need us to be. Always trying to bring honor and glory to Your name. In Jesus name, Amen.
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