Sometimes there’s a sign in the middle of your day, but most of us walk around too blind to see them.”
–James Leonard (The Sun Never Sets)
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.”
–Proverbs 3:25-26 (NIV)
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Interesting how the Lord works. Yesterday I wrote about waiting, and how He often makes us wait, and wait, and wait. This week I’ve been pondering the trail. Not necessarily the trail to glory or the road to perdition, but the trail that each of us walk daily. Somehow, as believers, that trail coincides with the gloryland trail. Here’s the interesting part, not only have I been pondering the trail, there have been several hints dropped my way regarding the trail. When that happens it is time to take heed. Is something being said to me?
There are so many things and analogies that can be made about the trail or journey of life. This morning I’m going to point out a few of them to you–those things that have been working in my mind. I recall the ol’ patriarch Abraham. “Get up, get going, Abram!” said the word of the Lord. “Where am I going?” came his quick reply. “Don’t worry about that, just get going. I’ll let you know when you get there,” comes the Lord’s response. So often we want to see everything that the trail holds for us. In all honesty, we really don’t. I knew of a woman who was told “prophetically” that she was going to be in a car accident. It scared her so much that she refused to leave her house. Finally, a nearby pastor went to talk with her and convinced her not to worry about the road ahead, that the Lord is in charge.
See, we don’t need to see every mile–only trust the One who built the trail, and walks alongside us. That wonderful Proverb reminds us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (3:5-6, NIV) We worry so much about the trail when we need to realize that the trail itself is neutral. The trail cannot hurt or harm you. However, in saying that, there are obstacles along the trail. There are snares laid by the enemy as well as his hostile imps along the way. There are roots, rocks, stumps, brush and brambles along the trail that must be encountered, but they themselves do nothing to harm you. You may be clumsy, you may not be looking where you are walking, or you may have lost your focus on the journey. Listen, get this down in your heart, the Lord is in control. As J.I. Packer reminds us, “There are no accidents in the Christian life.”
Sometimes as we travel it seems as if we haven’t come very far. That is the time to stop, take a breath and look back to see just how far you have come. “Growth is silent and at the time imperceptible to our senses, though later it is evident. Growth is gradual and full development is not reached in a day nor in a year. There may be real progress even where there are fewer inward comforts.” (Arthur Pink) God watches every step that we take. He watches to see, first of all if we even attempt to take the step, then He watches how we handle this journey of life. We certainly cannot tip-toe through life, for it at times is arduous. Paul reminds us that we have to give account for each step we take, “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, NIV)
Let me leave you to ponder with this last thought from Pappy Flynn that I read from Saddle Up Ministries. It’s about excuses, and that there really aren’t any. Flynn writes, “God never called His people to drift. He calls us to stand, to own our steps, and to walk in truth. Excuses build fences, responsibility builds futures. When we take ownership of our lives, we make room for God’s power to move. Some of you aren’t waiting on God to move…God’s been waiting on you to drop the excuses, stand up, and take responsibility for the life He already gave you. Let’s be honest, some of you aren’t stuck, you’re committed to your excuses. You can keep your excuses, or you can walk in your calling.”
The road is before you, get going! Of course, watch where you step, but step you must. Be wary of your surroundings, but keep going. Be like Abraham of old and walk on until the Lord finally brings you to that holy city, that stopping point that He has been leading you to. Trust in the Lord and in His guidance. Make each and every day one to be dedicated to the Lord and one more day that brings you nearer to your destiny.