Friday, August 6, 2021
Greetings, Dear Friends –
I trust you are well today. Recently, I was sharing with someone about using our GPS (global positioning system) to travel to (navigate) unfamiliar places. These navigational systems are great—that is, when they work! There are times when the communication my GPS gives is spot on, but also times when I prefer my GPS simply be quiet! I’ve ended up in some weird places following the directions of my GPS. It doesn’t always know the way . . . or at least, the best way for me. In those times, I simply ignore it if I can discern a better way!
One question my friend mentioned—when the GPS is not working properly—is this question: “Where do I go from here?” What a great question! I know I’ve asked myself the same thing when I was lost . . . trying to find my way in unfamiliar territory. I have often thought to myself that I know there is an easier route, but because I don’t know what that is . . . I just don’t know! So, I have to rely on patience, the information I have available, and the direction and grace of God to get me to where I am going. I have to ignore any distractions and trust it will all work out in the end.
How many times have we had to make a decision on the next move? The best move? I’m fascinated by the number of decisions adults make every day, and there are times when I am so over “adulting!” One online source cites these interesting statistics:
“Researchers at Cornell University estimate we make 226.7 decisions each day on food alone. And as your level of responsibility increases, so does the multitude of choices you have to make. It’s estimated that the average adult makes about 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day. Each decision, of course, carries certain consequences with it that are both good and bad” (www.unctv.org, “How Many Daily Decisions Do We Make?”).
The very fact that we have to choose, actually make a decision, can create anxiety and stress. What do we do? How should we proceed? How will new coronavirus variants going to impact our lives? Our jobs? Family and friends? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other celebrations this year? How will we live? How much worse will things get before they truly get better? Where do we go from here?
The decision-making process can be challenging, and the right kind of support can be critical to our sense of calm and well-being. So much of life is made easier, bearable, as we get through it, live it, together. I’ve seen the benefits from having a supportive network—people to share the journey with us with all of life’s ups and downs. As a community of believers, we bear one another’s burdens. And, as we share those burdens AND celebrate life together, we do so knowing that JESUS is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. He is our CENTER. HE is our PEACE.
Psalm 32:8-9 (The Passion Translation) says:
I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you,
instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life.
I will advise you along the way
and lead you forth with My eyes as your guide.
So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn
when I take you where you’ve not been before.
Don’t make Me tug you and pull you along.
Just come with Me!”
I think the blessing and beauty of walking with the Lord, being in relationship and fellowship with Him and other believers is that God will get us to where He wants us to be. The way can seem foggy at times, but the very fact that we are purposed to follow the Lord’s lead, is a good place to be. The details will take care of themselves! God is far more interested in our becoming as He watches over the complex details of our destination!
Where do you and I go from here? We go with God . . . and we trust Him to cause all things to work together for our good . . . to be the Light to direct our paths and keep us well and safe. We don’t know all of the answers, but fortunately, for us, we know God does.
Omniscient, God, help us to rest in Your knowing and trust the outcome to You. Give us Your peace as we lean not on our own understanding, but on You. Be a Lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. Give us joy as we share life together. In Christ’s Name. Amen.
Until next time, My Friends,
Selah . . .