REFLECTIONS

Road Just Traveled

Today began like many others. All my yesterdays led to this spot in the journey on the way to the next tomorrow. But today I decided to pause for a little while to gaze at the scenery around and to look back at the road just traveled. Looking back from time to time allows me to fully absorb where the road of life has taken me.

The road just traveled has carried me to places I never imagined. Captivating challenges filled each day along the way and surprising opportunities led to unexpected adventures. Significant markers on the roadside pointed to changes in direction while others widened narrow paths into vast thoroughfares. And then there were detours onto some back roads. They exposed sides of life I would not have otherwise seen and revealed what life’s journey is like for those less fortunate than me.

It seems that bends in the road just traveled have come around the seven year mile markers. They offered choices I had to make along the way; many were not so good. But Gods grace has been generous so even bad choices transformed into precious lessons.

It’s funny how I resisted those bends in the road. Often I felt unsure that God was calling me to follow them, but usually my resistance came from lack of vision, or sadly, from lack of faith. Looking back now, I’m amazed at how those bends in the road prepared me for the days that lay ahead.

The passing years have softened my reluctance to enter new phases of the journey. When bends in the road present themselves these days, I find myself standing with my hands on my hips and looking up to God asking, “So, what are you up to now?”

Looking back at the road just traveled helps me see the path ahead more clearly. And the places life has taken me helps me see God’s hand leading me all the way. King David found God’s hand leading him too when he once paused to look back at the road just traveled. And he saw the path ahead more clearly. He described it this way:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23 NKJV)

You are the light of the world,

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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