Are You Sure We Aren't Lost?

Good morning! I trust you had a good weekend. My family and I returned from our bi-annual trip to see family. Over the past 9 days we drove over 3,000 miles, but the opportunity to spend time with family was well worth the effort.

Today I want to speak to you about your own journey. Each one of us is on a journey and no two people’s journeys are exactly alike. For some of you, the journey has had many twists and turns. For others, your journey has been over rugged terrain with many peaks and valleys. Still others of you have journeyed through vast deserts filled with intense heat and barren stretches. For others still your journey has taken you through the fruitful plains. No matter where life has taken you, you’ve also encountered the detours and roads under construction.

It is during some of those difficult times that we find ourselves asking the questions: “God why have you brought me here?” and “God have you forgotten about me?” Even great men of faith have had these types of moments; consider the following two examples from Moses and Elijah:

Exodus 5:22-23 (NLT)

So Moses went back to the Lord and protested, "Why have you mistreated your own people like this, Lord? Why did you send me? [23] Since I gave Pharaoh your message, he has been even more brutal to your people. You have not even begun to rescue them!"

1 Kings 19:10 (NLT)

Elijah replied, "I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."

All of us eventually face the slow downs, the barren times, the times of being disoriented and even the detours in the road of life.

The new thing today is to use GPS navigation, so that even when you are uncertain of your location, the navigation system knows right where you are at. Did you realize that your life is no different? Look at the words of one of my favorite verses:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

God knows right where you are at all times. That trip through the desert of despair was already planned for. Your stop at the Grand Canyon of grief was planned for too. Your detour down the road of loneliness has already been taken into account. In each of these situations, God was not caught off guard. He has been aware of what lied ahead, even before it came into your view and He has prepared you for just such times.

Ultimately God has already planned out your final destination. He knows the twists and turns that lie ahead. They do not lead to a place of despair, but instead to His glorious presence. Just as a trip of 3,000 miles is worth every mile to be with family, the journey of life will be worth every good time, bad time and all points in between when God welcomes you home with open arms.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl