The road was the one less
traveled. At first, at the first step of
departure from the main thoroughfare, it seemed bold and adventurous to take
that turn in the path, and maybe even a little bit ambitious. Who wouldn’t want to aspire to the
heights? It was sort of cool to brave
unchartered territory where most people dare not go. To be a nonconformist.1
And honestly, despite the
inherent risk involved, it has mostly been worth it. It has awakened courage and valor that may
otherwise have remained dormant. There
have been moments of the miraculous, when everything seemed impossible and God
intervened, unexpectedly and heroically.
The view along the way has been unparalleled!
And yet, the twists and turns
in the road, which at first seemed exciting, often times became daunting and
terrifying, causing the entire endeavor to seem foolhardy and reckless. Wouldn’t it have been much more prudent to
stay on the marked trail, the one that is known and predictable and safe?
This road, the one that has
few maps and even fewer guideposts, has required numerous decisions. Each step has required guessing. Which way is right? What if this has all been a mistake? What if, at the end, not one expectation has
been met? Not one goal reached?
And now, years later and
thousands of steps taken, it seems as if the uncertainty was justified. Perhaps the apprehension, after all, should
have been heeded. Much more caution
should have been exercised. The daunting
path has indeed led to unintended destinations, none of which could have been
envisioned at the beginning.
The burden of guilt has
become cumbersome. So many regrets! So many stumbles and mistakes and
failures. The strong gait of confidence of
long ago has become weighted down with blame and self-accusation, making each
step heavy and hesitant.
Who else would have been so
foolish? Step.
What was wrong with
conformity, anyway? Step.
Why, oh why, couldn’t the
choices have been different? Step. Step.
Step.
And then there are the scars,
each one an ugly reminder of the smarting wounds, the injured heart that will
never be whole again. Who knew that this
road would be so dangerous? So full of unexpected
heartache and disappointments? This was
not how it was supposed to go! One by
one the bright hopes have crumbled. Each
dream has been reluctantly abandoned. The buoyant stride of naiveté has been
replaced by an unstable, painful limp.
If ignorance is bliss, then experience is what? Despair?
Shame?
This road, the one that is
slippery and perilous and much too steep, has inadvertently led further and
further away from anything familiar. But
there is no going back. No choice but to
continue onward, vulnerable, each lumbering step full of doubts.
It doesn’t have to be this
way! The journey isn’t over. There are miles and miles to go yet before
the road ends. Surely the One who led
this far along the path isn’t about to leave now!2 Especially not now when the purposes, the
unexpected destination, is nearer than ever before!
There is no reason to carry
the burden of guilt. The road that began
at the cross, is still leading to the
cross. To the cross where there is
complete forgiveness for every innocent mistake, gross failure, blatant sin and
foolish decision. There is no condemnation here on this road! None!3
And the scars? The evidence of the perils and dangers along
the way? Perhaps they aren’t as ugly as
they seem. A scar is not necessarily something
to be ashamed of. It can actually be quite
lovely in the right light. It is like a
badge of honor proving triumph over adversity.
Confirming that the enemy’s attacks were ineffective. A scar is a constant reminder that the ever-present
Warrior is powerful and cannot be defeated!4
And anyways, so what if the
scars indicate weakness? The thing is, the
purpose of this journey isn’t to demonstrate strength; rather, it is to become
weak so that He could demonstrate His strength.5
And the shattered hopes, the
ones that lie crushed along the winding path of yesterday? Maybe there was an unforeseen purpose, as
painful as it was, for destroying them. Instead of lamenting their loss, perhaps they
can be surrendered to the One who knows.
Every time a broken dream is laid at the feet of Jesus, He sees it. He remembers every tear.6 He picks up the broken pieces, but instead of
mending them, He replaces them with something
better. A larger, more meaningful purpose. One that will last for eternity.7
The goal of this path is not
happiness or comfort or health. It’s not
connections and intimate relationships. It’s not even to make a difference in the
world; His goal is to make a difference in the soul.8 To renew and
restore the surrendered heart until it becomes something of value. A treasure that has become, with time,
exquisitely beautiful.9
The goal, His goal all along, is faith. A growing, maturing, strong, unwavering
faith. Every step, whether enthusiastic
or hesitant, willing or reluctant, confident or unsure – every brave step of
obedience that was taken in faith, has been pleasing to Him.10
Don’t look back at what is
behind. At the failures and the what if
and the what might have been. At the
scars and the broken dreams. The important
thing now is to look forward.11
The bravest step is the next
one.
Keep moving forward with
faith.
In surrender and obedience to
the One whose plans cannot fail.12
With confidence in the One
who never makes mistakes.
Keep moving forward, taking
each step with faith, knowing that He
has a a grand and ultimate purpose, one that can only be fulfilled on this unexpected
path.
1. Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what the will of God is – His good, pleasing, and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
2. Being
confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6
3. Therefore,
there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Romans 8:1
4. No, in all
these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, nor angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:37-39
5. But He said
to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in
weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all
the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9
6. The Lord is
close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18
7. These
[people] were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had
been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together
with us would they be made perfect. –
Hebrews 11:39-40
8. I consider
that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be
revealed in us . . . for those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed
to the image of His Son. – Romans
8:18, 29
9. Husbands
love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to
make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to
present her to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any
other blemish, but holy and blameless.
– Ephesians 5:25-27
10. And without
faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must
believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6
11. Brothers and
sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining
toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God
has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:14-15
12. The Lord
Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have
purposed, so it will happen.” –
Isaiah 14:24
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