I've stated this before in my blogs, but sometimes God speaks to me in such simple ways and brings an idea or lesson to me by the things around me. Well today wasn't any different as I drove to work. Like so many of us do on our way to our jobs, I hit traffic because of road construction. And as I got slowed down and pushed into one lane I begin to think "what was wrong with this road to begin with? Did it really need replaced?"...and then I came up to the part that got done yesterday. Wow, what a difference! The road was smooth like water on a calm lake in the early morning. It looked like a sheet of black ice and the ride was so quiet and peaceful. Not only did I not realize now nice the ride would be on this new road, but I also had become completely desensitized to how rough the ride on the old road was. And it was in that exact moment that God began to speak to me about the roads we travel down in life.
So many of us have to try to do things our own way, only consulting with God when we need something, not really asking him to direct our every foot step. But that kind of thinking is what leads to us traveling down rough roads in life. And as long as nothing is falling apart on that road, we can grow very content with it. And I don't mean content in a good way, like just appreciating the things God has given you. I mean content as in "well, this is life so I just need to deal with it" kind of thinking. And because I do NOT believe in coincidences, I believe in God moments, the song that happened to be playing as I thinking about all of this was "No Longer Slaves" by Bethel Music. This song was just introduced to me by my girlfriend this week and it has such powerful lyrics. Lyrics that talk about freedom through Christ because of being a child of God. About how we no longer need to be slaves to fear. And about how God surrounds us with a song of deliverance from our enemies. Truly amazing words....but again, not a coincidence that as God is speaking to me about rough roads and smooth roads this song about being set free is playing.
We don't need to settle for anything in life that is not bringing us God's peace, God's joy, or the fullness of God's love. And the only reason we do settle for these other roads in life is because just like hitting traffic and not being happy about it, to get on the smooth road God has for you, it may require some change. And sometimes those changes may seem a little overwhelming, or seem like they are going to take you into the unknown, or even feel a little uncomfortable while your in the transition. Just like a lot of people get tense when traffic gets backed up and tight because it is not what they are used to driving in, we can get tense when God starts to show us a different road He has for us that is going to take us out of our comfort zone. But don't panic....He is God and He only wants better for you. Psalms 3:6 says "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight". When I see a verse like that, I see it as a promise, not just a verse. IF you are willing to acknowledge HIM in ALL the areas of your life, the path (or road) that He will lead you down will be straight. In other words, you will find peace by doing things His way. If you have ever driven down a very curvy road, then you know it is hard to find peace with all the twists and turns, speed up and slow downs and all the times you don't have clue what could be around the next corner. But if you have driven down a long straight road then you know the peace that can bring. You can see down the road, you can stay at a steady speed and you can breath a little easier.
God wants to make your paths smooth...as smooth as a brand new road. In fact, once you give your life to Him and begin to surrender all the things to Him that come between you and Him, He literally will put you on a brand new road. And when you get on that road, you will really realize how rough the old road used to be.
God, thank You for the promise to set our paths straight. Thank You that you care about the daily things we go through and You desire to smooth things out for us when we acknowledge You in all of our life. As you smooth our roads, let other see You at work in our life and desire to see their own roads become more smooth by surrendering to You. In Jesus name, Amen
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