"The shortest distance between two points is a straight line."
I think I first heard this back in math class, but somehow this has invaded my entire way of thinking. How about you? Perhaps it's the "instant" society we live in. We don't like to wait for anything:
- Technology allows us to instantly pull up a video or download a book.
- A quick look at Facebook (is that possible?) gives us an update on everyone we know and allows us to update others with a few strokes of the keyboard.
- We dine on fast food and microwave meals.
- and so on, and so on...
We know where we want to go in life, or maybe God has given us a vision of what He's calling us to, and we want to be there NOW!
We're up to the letter "T" in the *She Sparkles* A-Z Scripture Memory Challenge:
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ~ Proverbs 3:5
I will be the first one to say that God's path seems to be filled with detours and layovers. God called me to teach and write many years ago, yet most days I can be found caring for my two infant grandsons. How can this be part of the plan? After a full day with them, I am sapped of all energy and can barely string a sentence together...
But wait, that kind of thinking would be me leaning on my own understanding with no "trusting in the Lord" anywhere to be found. If you look up this week's verse and continue reading you'll see the message continues...
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. ~ Proverbs 3:6
What if that squiggily line in the illustration above is actually God's idea of a straight path - straight from one experience to the next; a succession of seemingly random events each necessary to prepare us and mold us into the person He's needs us to be to fulfill the calling He has for us?
What would life look like if we stopped trying to make sense of things or forcing our own agenda and instead saw each experience as a necessary one, bringing us one step closer to fulfilling God's plan for our life? Maybe it's our own attempts at a direct route that are actually the detours.
There's no time like the present to join us in memorizing God's word. You can jump in with the "T" verse, or start with one of the A to Z verses we've learned so far:
- A - As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15b
- B – Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. Acts 16:31
- C – Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
- D – Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2
- E – Every good and perfect gift is from above James 1:17
- F – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
- G – God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
- H – How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth. Psalm 47:2
- I – It is for freedom that Christ has set us free! Galatians 5:1
- J – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
- K – Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34:13
- L - Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
- M – May Your unfailing love be my comfort. Psalm 119:76
- N – Nothing is too hard for God. Jeremiah 32:17b
- O – O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
- P – Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
- Q - In quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15b
- R - Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:8
- S - Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2
Just for fun...The straightest distance between two points is a short line. :)
Enjoyed this post, bless you.
That drawing is just perfect. We could look at that squiggly line, and become discouraged. Or we could choose to say it as you describe here: "What if that squiggly line in the illustration above is actually God's idea of a straight path." I like that. A lot.
Thank you for sharing.
I have been in re-grouping mode myself for several weeks. Your post is a helpful reminder to let God be God and trust him for the outcome of my ministry.
Excellent article, Lisa. Thanks. I created a link to http://christianpoetandwriters.blogspot.com/ so members of the Christian Poets & Writers group can see. God bless - Mary
Lisa, I am working on a book describing the 12 different 'careers' I have had in the 33 years since I had my first article accepted and published. Then I continued to detour for 33 years. Now I am writing full-time, as I believe God wants me to do. Instead of being discouraged by the wasted years, so to speak, I consider all of the experiences as things to write about. I will never run out of material :)