I was already four hours into the journey and had only another 30 minutes left if all factors remained constant. Read: if I did not have to stop for a restroom break.
I was determined to get there in exactly those 30 minutes and not a minute more. In the days leading up to this journey, I had prayed about the roads, the people I would meet, and just about as many things as I could think to cover in prayer. I was not as open-minded as Doris Day singing “Que Sera, Sera.” Instead, I engaged the power of my tongue to speak life into the journey. This journey was going to be smooth, and I was not negotiating.
About two and a half hours in, I stopped to get gas. My first choice of gas stations was unavailable, so I redirected myself to the next one. I was doing my best not to focus on how much driving I had left because all that did was weary me. I would attempt to look only at the map, but my eyes kept exercising their free will and wandering toward the estimated arrival time. Between you and me, a lot of inner work was happening just to keep going.
This was not the kind of road trip you plan with friends, where you get to stop and sightsee along the way. It wasn’t a daunting journey either. It was simply one that needed to be done.
I was operating in faith.
I had been summoned to a meeting. I had the choice to say no and ignore it, but I chose to exercise my free will, move in faith, and attend. And boy, am I glad I did!
I learned something profound that I will share with you in a minute. But before I do, remember that God’s ways are not our ways. His ways are higher than ours. Whenever we pray for something, we must also pray for the eyes to see and recognize it when it comes, as well as the grace to handle it.
Now, there have been plenty of times when I have wondered why the path to where I am going cannot just be a straight line. Like, are all these detours really necessary?
I have come up with various explanations for them. Sometimes, perhaps, I have not asked God for guidance. Other times, I may have asked but failed to wait on Him for direction. I remind myself that God is not the author of confusion. He leads us when we allow Him to and learn to wait on Him.
And then there is the story of the children of Israel. If you are not familiar with their story, they complained about just about everything. LOL. Their journey, which could have taken approximately 11 days (Deuteronomy 1:2), stretched into 40 years because of their disobedience and lack of faith, and that generation did not enter the Promised Land. I do not need to learn that lesson firsthand. I can learn from their experience.
But as I drove and checked my GPS, I noticed something. The GPS had the route it was recommending, but it also showed another route that could get me to my destination with less traffic.
If you and I are anything alike, you might be surprised that a GPS would even think you would choose any other option than the one with less traffic. Like, why wasn’t that the recommended route to begin with?
I loved this alternative route. The roads had traffic lights, which meant I could slow down and stop. I could take in my surroundings instead of going pedal to the metal on the highway, with my gluteal muscles tensed as I tried to overtake other vehicles and match the speed of traffic while making sure I wasn’t going so fast that I received a personal greeting from a state trooper.
I was enjoying the different landscapes along the way. I got to appreciate the architecture of homes tucked away in their own little worlds. I imagined visiting restaurants that looked especially inviting under the lights. And most importantly, I stopped fixating on my arrival time.
Suddenly, it came to me.
God orchestrates our journey called life. He has a path for us, a plan that existed long before we came to be. There is an appointed time for everything, and when we are aligned with His plan, the journey itself can become an adventure.
His path has trees, traffic lights, and different towns, each with its own requirements and opportunities to build on our experiences. Some of those experiences do not feel fun AT ALL while we are going through them. Some are thrilling. And some feel like floating on a flamingo floatie in a pool with a watermelon fresca in your hand.
And even when we take detours, He is merciful enough to lead us back.
This journey reminded me to appreciate the experiences and lessons I encounter along the way, rather than focusing merely on getting THERE.
When my only focus is getting there, I miss the beauty surrounding me. I miss the lessons. I miss the moments that might be shaping me into the person I need to become.
And when I finally get THERE, what then?
May God help you and me learn to keep our eyes on Him. May we trust His direction, appreciate the lessons along the way, and extend ourselves the grace to embrace the journey, even when it looks different from what we expected.
For He will guide us through.
Until next time.
Love,
Jo.
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