Our son Ted took this picture on a blustery winter day in late December of 2007. He was home for his first Christmas in this part of the world in almost 20 years. The reproduction here is to small to see that the sign reads Dead End.
Ouch. But I was impressed because the picture captures something I feel at times. Our corner of the world can seem like the end of the world. But isn’t that true of any corner? Every place has its limitations.
And this is home. Both Ken and I grew up fairly close to area. We returned after living elsewhere during the early years of our marriage.
Not all dead ends are related to geography. The past couple of weeks I’ve again been facing a dead end of sorts. At least, I’ve come to the end of a road which may or may not have a hidden path out.
Rather than labor over the details, let me say that when I read about Israel’s exodus from Egypt today, I had more sympathy than I’ve had in the past. You know the story:
—after the Israelites witnessed the plagues against the Egyptians
—after they followed Moses detailed instructions for the Passover
—after they received farewell “presents” of gold and precious materials
—they followed Moses out of the land of bondage into a trap seemingly arranged by God. Caught between a trained army and a body of water they couldn’t cross, they would have traded slavery for life. God had other plans. (Exodus 14)
No person is actively pursuing me or plotting my demise. I can’t identify any enemy other than Satan, the eternal enemy of my soul. But if God had plans for the Israelites, perhaps He has other plans for me.
Yes, He does. I know He does because I’ve confronted difficult circumstances before and I’ve learned He’s always at work. I just don’t know what His plans are. And I don’t know how to prepare.
All God asks is that I wait for His revelation. All I want is to know what to do. But if He gave me a task, I might resent it because it wouldn’t be what I’d planned.
There you have it. His plan. My plan. Sometimes they come together. Sometimes they don’t. And I won’t know where God will take me or what He’ll offer for several weeks.
On a blustery winter day I’ve come to a dead end. Once again, I have to return to my trusty life’s theme verse: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Prov. 3:5-6 KJV)
God knows how to make the struggle new and the verse fresh.
Lord, I need you. Help me.
2 comments:
A friend in Arizona
Such beautiful meanings to your names. Keep using them
LOIS! Thank you for your comments. You went all the way back to the beginning posts, reading your way through. And then you figured out how to make a comment--no small feat for those of us who didn't grow up with computers. I can't think of a greater compliment. How on earth did you find me? I knew it was you when, at one point, you signed your name as Lois B.
Truly, there's no one who could bless me more with a positive reaction. Thank you so much. I love you. Always have.
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