The Winding Road

Proverbs 3:5

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 straights.” 

Life is a winding road. 

There are so many turns, bumps, shifts in traffic patterns and drop-offs, life really should come with a warning sign.  There is seldom a day that goes by when life does not throw some type of curve ball.  You know what I mean- even if you are going to be home alone all day doing only what you want, the phone rings, or the mail runs or there comes a knock at the door.

As we each walk our own path, there are countless times that we will have to trust the Lord through a circumstance.  This passage urges us to do so with all of our heart.  Many of us would be quick to say that we do trust in the Lord with all of our heart.  But if we really listen in on our own conversations we would find that we spend a lot of time trusting in our ability to control things through what we say, how we say it and who we say it to.  We try to adjust and manipulate; we try to do damage control, until finally there is nothing we can do that will truly make a difference.  That is when we have no choice but to fully give it to God.

Imagine what life would be like if we chose to trust in Him fully, even with the small things and even on the good days.  He wants that from us.  Why do we carry even the smallest burdens of life in our own strength?

We are further implored to not lean in our own understanding.  When tragedy strikes, it is quite common for people to say, “I just don’t understand.”  Life goes beyond understanding.  God’s ways are above and beyond our understanding.  At the most elementary level of trust, a decision must be made to lean on Him.  Have you ever sprained your ankle and needed to lean on someone else to get where you are going?  That is the type of leaning we must do on God.  We have to lean into Him so fully that if he does not catch us, we fall.  He expects that level of trust from his children.

In every situation, in every decision, and in every way, we must acknowledge Him.  God is a gentleman and waits to be invited into the situations and decisions of our life.  When we acknowledge him, he does something wonderful.  He makes our paths straight.  He takes a lot of the “guess-work” out of the way.  He removes obstacles.  He walks besides us.  He gives us wisdom.  He gives us direction. 

Though there will be times in life where we still struggle through situations we have given over to Him, there is sweet assurance that He walks with us.  If you must go through a scary and dark place, you do not have to walk alone.  The one who knows each dark part of the journey walks beside you.   Look to Him. Lean on Him.  Acknowledge Him.  He will see you through and will not fail you.

Dear Lord, I invite you into every aspect of my life.  Lead me in decisions; guide me down the road that you have placed me on.  Help me to trust you fully, and not trust in my own strength.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri