…carefully reading the map of your Word. I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted. Psalms 119:9-10 The Message Bible
I am embarrassed to say, I found myself driving in the wrong direction on a
one-way road. As cars drove toward me, I had to remain calm and pull off to the
side until I could safely turn around and get back on track.
This could have been a deadly mistake. There were clear signs that I was
about to drive the wrong way, but I was too focused on my map app to see the
signs.
If we are not focused on God’s heart and what he has told us in his
Word, we are entering a danger zone.
What’s your first sign that you are going in the wrong direction? Perhaps it
is the beginning of a tummy or head ache. Or a discussion with yourself that you are an
adult and have a right to make a particular choice. And then there is the, I am
going to have to hide this from….
But Christianity 101 tells us that nothing is hidden from God. He sees every
hidden thing and will bring it to light. Our hearts become a jagged
mess when we try to go it our own way using our wants as navigation.
So, if you are feeling off and squirming in your seat like I was when faced
with oncoming traffic, sit with God and apologize. He knows it all anyway. And
then open his Word, because only he can sort the matters of the heart.
This is hard stuff to look at and unpack. But we must.
Why?
We are in the Lenten Season, a time of recalling how Christ died for us
before resurrecting and ascending into heaven. A tough look at misdirection leads us into the right direction, a humble heart before God and man.
Lord,
Thank you for sorting through our heart and revealing wrong turns. We can place our regret, embarrassment, and shame at the foot of the cross. And with
bended knee, submit our hearts to thee.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds!
Michele Marie Weisman
PS Does this post remind you of any bible verses? Please share in the comments
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
Ha ha ha! Another newsletter I received today opened with a very similar photo – it showed a flock of signs on poles at a street corner, all of them saying “ONE WAY,” but half of them pointing in one direction and the other half in the other direction.
I’m always amazed at how often similar things show up on the same day from completely different persons and places. I might cruise through the first one, but when I get to the second and see a similarity, it’s God telling me to go back and dig deeper into the first, then do the same for the second. This helps me make connections between things that seem unrelated on the surface. I love making connections!
This post also reminds me of a dear Christian friend whose driving directions one should never heed. She has a strange idea that taking the direct route to a destination is not best. One time, she had my husband and me detouring through shopping mall parking lots – over those annoying speed bumps, too – and down side streets that went the wrong way, instead of taking the three major arteries that were available and easily traveled. We were about fifteen minutes late getting in arriving where we were headed. Our friend is a very odd duck, but we love her dearly, not only for her devotion to our Lord but also for her irrepressible sense of humor. Nothing dull about that woman!
I almost used a similar photo you described for todays post. I wonder if it was the same one.
Thanks for telling of your friends creative driving directions. It made me smile. Glad the post made you think of your dear friend. And thanks so much for stopping by!
Glad you didn’t get hurt. I’ve driven the wrong way on the road and in life a couple of times, which reminds me of James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” To seek wisdom is a good thing, even while we’re going the wrong way.
That is a perfect verse for this topic, Dianne. Thanks so much for being transparent. You made me smile.