"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
This couplet has always been one of my favorite sets in the Bible. There are two parts to the thought, one a directive and the second a promise. The first portion of this verse exhorts us to trust in God and not in our own abilities, thoughts, or plans. The second section of Proverbs 3:5-6 provides a promise that God will direct our steps if we seek His will and follow Him. Life gives us the decision to make on our own, we can choose the dark, bumpy and curvy road or we can allow God to lead us on the narrow but straight and smooth interstate of life.
Staying with our analogy of roads and highways, think about your travels and the routes you have taken to get from one place to another. In my own experience I have traveled the back roads of Northeast Tennessee my whole life and I can attest to the curvy, up and down nature of the roads I have encountered. Add to that, when the sun goes down and the moon is not on full display, those curvy roads become even more hazardous due to the lack of adequate lighting and signage. If you aren't familiar with the backroads you are traveling, especially at night, drivers are forced to slow down and focus a little more intently on the curves up ahead. In much the same way, when we choose to make our own decisions in life we often find ourselves on the backroad of life experiences where things can be much more treacherous, filled with curves, blind spots, and embankments that lead to dark valleys below.
On the other hand, when I choose to travel the highways or interstates the roads are well lit, with an abundance of signs, flashing signals, and markers that explain which way to go and how far away I am from my destination. A marked difference in traveling conditions for sure. If I again apply this to our ability to allow God to direct our way, His way is illuminated well through His guidance found in the Holy Bible and the by the nudging of His Holy Spirit. You are not alone when you choose to travel with God.
Jesus talks about this himself in His teachings found in the Gospels."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14. Basically what I believe Jesus was saying is there are two routes you can choose, one road is dark and if you choose that road you are basically on your own. Rarely are there flashing warning signs about the drop off ahead on most backroads just as the ways of this world don't come with warnings or "Danger Ahead" signs to help us in our times of adversity or affliction. Yet, if we choose to take the well lit path, the interstate of life, God is there shining His light and providing us with a roadmap to follow.
That roadmap is Jesus. "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6. No one finds his way on his own. Nobody can drive blindfolded on a dark, curvy backroad and not end up at best in a ditch. The way is broad and it may feel good at first, but that way of life doesn't end well. The "way" described by Jesus is the only way to find the light we need for our travels to be safe equipped with the guardrails and well lit warnings of the danger that lies ahead. The good news is there are only two paths to choose between. The even better news is you have the opportunity to choose which road you will travel. Make the right choice today, choose His way. His way is illuminated and straight. Even when you face obstacles on His path He will be with you as you navigate and complete your journey! Drive on.
Coach Carter
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