The other day I wrote about following God’s light, even when He is moving too slowly or to quickly for our liking.
Personally, I can best relate my life at this moment to following the slow snowplow. I'll back up a little so I can better explain what I mean.
For many years when my kids were little, they needed me constantly. They needed me to change their diapers, wipe their noses, clean up their spills, tie their shoes, buckle their car seats, etc., etc. During this time I also helped found and coordinate a MOPS group, which required much of my time and energy. I have to admit that during those years I felt like I was following the fast-moving semi truck - and I was barely keeping up!
Now my kids are in school and I am not in a leadership position. My job is to stay at home, take care of the household tasks and get the kids to their activities. I am helping in a few areas at church in support roles.
I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, but I have to admit that I am wired as someone who takes charge and leads. This season of support makes me feel like I’m following a snowplow.
The other night when I was driving behind the plow, I was frustrated. I wanted to get past him. I kept looking ahead to see if it was safe to pass. Eventually I did pass him, something my husband did not appreciate when I told him about it later. He said that I should never pass a snowplow because it’s unsafe. I guess my impatience got the better of me!
Right now, it’s hard for me not to look ahead and want to speed up my life. I know that God has placed me in this “slow” season of life and ordained the activities I’m supporting. I need to trust Him and not try to look ahead and pass up the plans He has for my life right now!
Where are you in life right now? Are you behind a snowplow or a semi? Is God taking you down His path too quickly or are you going at what seems to be a snail’s pace? No matter what speed you are traveling at right now, set your mind on seeking God’s will for your life. Spend time with Him so that you can learn to be content with the speed of your life.
Scripture: John 1:35-50; 8:12
Prayer: Lord, sometimes it’s scary to follow You. You choose to take me down roads more rapidly that I would like. Or, sometimes You lead me down a road slowly, and in my impatience I want to jump ahead of Your will. Please help me to be content traveling through life at Your speed. I realize that everything You do is for a reason. You have great plans for me and I don’t want to miss those plans! I acknowledge that following You means traveling at the speed You set for me and I am willing to travel at Your pace!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bright Red Lights
Driving on snowy & icy roads is something everyone from Minnesota has to learn, and a few nights ago my own driving skills were put to the test.
It was snowing and windy - a bad combination for safe traveling. Reluctantly, I pulled out onto a two-lane highway behind a semi-truck. I didn’t want to follow the semi because I thought it would be going too slowly for my taste. However, it was the opposite. The semi was speeding along on the icy roads. Since it was difficult to see the road, my only hope was to follow the truck’s bright red taillights.
Ironically, the same truck that had frustrated me a few minutes earlier was now providing light to guide my way home.
As I struggled to keep up, I thought about those lights in relation to me following God. As I follow Him, there are times in my life when I feel like He is going too fast for me to keep up. I was reminded that during those times, I need to just focus on the Light and follow close to Him.
Finally I turned off onto a county road. I was relieved that I could now drive at a comfortable speed. This road was also more secluded and it was lined with trees to block the wind. I started settling in for a more relaxing drive home. Unfortunately, my relaxation was short-lived.
Soon I saw red flashing lights in the distance. As I got closer, I realized that these lights shined off the back of a snowplow. A very slow-moving snowplow! At this point I really just wanted to get home, so the slow-moving vehicle perturbed me.
Then a smile came to my face as I once again realized the irony of my situation.
First I had been forced to follow bright red lights that were going too fast. Now I had to follow bright red flashing lights that were going too slow. God sure does have a sense of humor and He was definitely trying to drive home (no pun intended) a point to me that night!
The point was that I need to follow God’s light. Sometimes He may take me down roads more quickly than I would like. Other times, He will take me on a path that seems painfully slow. Either way, I need to follow His light and seek His will. I need to trust that His lighted path is the right one for me.
Scripture: I John 1
Prayer: Dear God, I want to follow the road you want me to travel. I want to follow You no matter whether it seems I am going too fast or too slow. During these times, I want to trust You and follow Your light so that I know I am where You want me to be. Help me to trust in Your timing for my life and to follow You. I know that Your Word says in I John 1:5 that “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” I believe in You and I believe that You are light.
It was snowing and windy - a bad combination for safe traveling. Reluctantly, I pulled out onto a two-lane highway behind a semi-truck. I didn’t want to follow the semi because I thought it would be going too slowly for my taste. However, it was the opposite. The semi was speeding along on the icy roads. Since it was difficult to see the road, my only hope was to follow the truck’s bright red taillights.
Ironically, the same truck that had frustrated me a few minutes earlier was now providing light to guide my way home.
As I struggled to keep up, I thought about those lights in relation to me following God. As I follow Him, there are times in my life when I feel like He is going too fast for me to keep up. I was reminded that during those times, I need to just focus on the Light and follow close to Him.
Finally I turned off onto a county road. I was relieved that I could now drive at a comfortable speed. This road was also more secluded and it was lined with trees to block the wind. I started settling in for a more relaxing drive home. Unfortunately, my relaxation was short-lived.
Soon I saw red flashing lights in the distance. As I got closer, I realized that these lights shined off the back of a snowplow. A very slow-moving snowplow! At this point I really just wanted to get home, so the slow-moving vehicle perturbed me.
Then a smile came to my face as I once again realized the irony of my situation.
First I had been forced to follow bright red lights that were going too fast. Now I had to follow bright red flashing lights that were going too slow. God sure does have a sense of humor and He was definitely trying to drive home (no pun intended) a point to me that night!
The point was that I need to follow God’s light. Sometimes He may take me down roads more quickly than I would like. Other times, He will take me on a path that seems painfully slow. Either way, I need to follow His light and seek His will. I need to trust that His lighted path is the right one for me.
Scripture: I John 1
Prayer: Dear God, I want to follow the road you want me to travel. I want to follow You no matter whether it seems I am going too fast or too slow. During these times, I want to trust You and follow Your light so that I know I am where You want me to be. Help me to trust in Your timing for my life and to follow You. I know that Your Word says in I John 1:5 that “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” I believe in You and I believe that You are light.
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