Sunday, September 04, 2011

Sunday Afternoon Tea

They Word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path. 
Psalm 119:105 

Soooo... I was driving close to campus this week when I realized the construction had moved to another part of the road and I was now enjoying newly surfaced pavement.  It was a beautiful ride, far from the potholes we had been experiencing.  Then it came to me... that's how I will be someday.  :)

For this particular road is on a steep hill and has been bumpy and holey and not dependable at all.  To make matters worse, the construction has been a pain as it makes my destination difficult to reach and not fun. 

Not too long ago, I was nearly hit when a car going too fast didn't realize the lane of traffic had been stopped by a flag man woman.  I hurried into the left hand lane (fortunately no one was coming) and the very young driver went onto the sidewalk!

But oh the results, how nice it is to have all the lumps and bumps and holes out of the road.  It took a lot of work on those hot summer days as well as patience on this end (and some drivers not so patient).  But the result is an easier road to drive... a straight path so to speak.

I don't know why it popped into my head that this is similar to the journey God has each of us on in this life.  It was either a brilliant flash of wisdom or the beginning of heatstroke... or both.  But how true it is that on this road we travel, we are constantly facing unexpected detours and deep holes and things that go bump in the night.

Without those events in our life that cause us to run closer to Him, we will always be a mess.  If He did not allow the potholes of our life... the unexpected detours... we would not know just how imperfect this world really is.

His intention is not for us to get comfortable in this world.  We are just passing through as He uses our everyday ups and downs to make us and mold us and prepare us into a perfect gift for the Father. 

I'm certain angels must have looked at me from the beginning and shook their heads in amazement that The One Who Created All actually thought He could make something Beautiful of the original mess I was in.

I'm not there,  yet... like the road I was taking there are some sections which are now smooth and easier than they used to be... but still sections where the Construction Crew is at work.  Thankfully, there is a road map to the destination, an explanation of the construction, advice for the journey.  Reading it sheds a lot of light on the process.  :)

Only He can make something Beautiful out of a messy journey.

6 comments:

Rebecca said...

I'm not there yet either - but OH! Will it EVER be worth it...

Anonymous said...

GREAT THANKS FOR SHARING..LOVES FROM THE NETHERLANDS..

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

That's good insight!

Tim likes to say that without sin we wouldn't know or understand some of God's attributes such as Grace, forgiveness, peace....

I am looking to the time when all the roads will be smooth and all the paths straight.

Hope your hubby is healing well....

Have a lovely Sunday.
Deanna

Anonymous said...

This is an excellent post, I love the comparison! It also got me to thinking how the roads need continually checked to make sure they are still safe. There are some places in my Christian walk (road) that I seem to have to revisit every now and then. Who knows why. Maybe I didn't keep up on my prayer life, the world snuck in, or I became a little too tired in carrying something all by myself to pay attention. Either way, I now have a visual reminder to stop and check my spiritual life every time I drive down a road that either needs repaired, or is fresh and new. Thank you!

Valerie

Anonymous said...

Good comparison! I always like the stories in the Guide where the Disciples misunderstand or mess up but grace sets them back on the right path. It's encouraging.

Tracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries® said...

Lovely analogy Brenda...and so accurate. I'm ashamed to say that my own road has far too many potholes and my angels are working overtime to help me repair them. Very insightful my friend.
Love,
Tracey
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