Journey

I love to go on journeys! We like to call them “trips.” Maybe you call them a vacation, road trip, sabbatical, girls weekend, guys weekend, whatever the term, we love to journey. And whether you realize it or not, life is a journey.

Everyone’s journey is different, yet many things are the same. For instance, all journeys have a beginning and an end. We all have a destination in mind that we are trying to get to. And along the way, there will be road blocks, detours, mechanical malfunctions, but also fantastic scenery, good and bad weather, and a whole host of other things. You can also rest assured that through your journey you will also make many memories.

But one thing I wonder about along this journey is, are you following a road map? Do you have your directions? Not long ago I went on my first long road trip as I traveled to speak at a ladies retreat about six hours from home. I printed my directions out from mapquest.com, studied them, and made sure that I had them handy in the car as I began my journey. My daughter also gave me a GPS to use to help navigate and we attached it to the windshield where I could see it. She said it would be much easier for me to find my way instead of trying to look down at the papers I had printed.

As I started out my journey, the first indication that I might have a problem was when the GPS wanted me to take an alternate route than what my mapquest directions said. Then there was road construction, a detour, the GPS continually telling me to turn around, or to turn on roads that, when I glanced that way, were gravel roads! Fortunately, I was continually in touch with my Pilot (Jesus), and He assured me that I was going the right direction. I also arrived safely, having used the directions I printed.

We also have a fantastic Road Map to use on Life’s journey. It’s called the Bible. In it are the directions we need to get us to our final destination. Use it wisely and you will have less bumps and detours in your journey. Neglect to consult your Road Map and you will find yourself on those backwoods, gravel and dirt roads that lead to unpleasant detours and road blocks. I’m not fond of those, myself. And believe me, I have been on those roads many times in my life.

However, when God healed me in 2012, He set me back on the right road. He gave me a new route to take in my journey. He also gave me new directions. The beauty of it is, I’m on the right road, but the journey is so much better! My directions help steer me away and around road blocks and obstacles, detours and wrong roads. Of course, there are still the occasional little overlooks along the way, but fortunately this time I realize that, “Oops! That’s not the right way to go!” and I’m quickly back on track.

How’s your journey going? Are you wondering where you made a wrong turn? Let me encourage you that it’s really easy to get back on the right road. Just consult the Road Map. Then allow your Pilot to take the controls. It’s so much easier being co-pilot anyway!

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. ~Psalm 119:105, NLT