Reason #285
I went to the Corn Maize tonight with a group of friends. The corn stalks weren't as tall this year as they have been in the previous years, but it was still a challenge no doubt. If you haven't been to the corn maize before, this is how it works. Ten clues are placed through the maize. They blend it well, so you have to keep your eyes peeled to find them. Each clue coordinates with a question on your map and depending on how you answer the question will depend on the direction you take from the clue. If you know the answer, you know the correct direction to go. If you don't know the answer, you take an educated guess and hope it was right. Either way, you wander around for a while. The only way you know you got the right answer to the clue is if you locate the next clue. If you were wrong, you find yourself back where you started. And although it can be a little frustrating to end back up in the exact spot you were just at, you now know the correct answer and you can head in the right direction.
Life is full of twists and turns. It can seem like a maize, too. And so you begin wandering through. You know you'll get through it but who knows how long it will take. Who knows if you'll solve the clues correctly or if you'll find each one quickly. Just because you have the right answer doesn't mean you may not have to search for a bit before you find out the next step. But with each one, you move foward. With each one, you get closer and closer to finding your way through. Sometimes, you back track. Sometimes, you end up going the wrong direction, making the wrong decision. The next thing you know, you're back to where you started. Back to the place you were trying so diligently to get away from. But you've learned along the way. As you've walked and searched for the next clue, you began to notice things. You take note of what you see and when you eventually come to the realization that you took a wrong turn, you now know what not to do again. You know which path not to take. You know what to look for and when you begin to get on the wrong path again, you realize it a lot faster because you've already been there. You've seen that it takes you further away from where you want to go and keeps you from moving forward. And so you turn, you avoid it and you go back to where you were. Make the right choice, the right decision, and begin walking in the right direction.
And so I'm thankful for those learning experiences. As hard as they are at the time, I'm thankful for those difficult paths that teach us what not to do. I'm thankful that often times those paths lead us right back to where we were so we can get it right. We can have a do-over and, rather than making the same mistake again, we get another chance to turn and walk in the right direction. Redemption! And although it is frustrating to be headed the wrong direction, to make a wrong decision, and to regress rather than progress, at least we know what we need to do differently next time. At least we know how to identify the right path and stick to it. And so you learn. You learn what to do, what not to do. Some clues are easier than others, some questions are easier to answer than others. Sometimes you get it wrong, sometimes you get it right. But God is faithful. He watches us, aware of our every move. And He'll be sure that one way or another we get headed the right direction. He'll be sure to get us through the maizes of life. It may take time, it may take a few attempts, and it may be trial and error for a while. But He never lets us get too far off the course if we keep our hearts set on Him. He may guide us back for one reason or another, or He may guide us forward. Either way, though, you'll get through it. One way or another, you'll eventually find your way out. And when you do, when you've made it through the set of twists and turns, you'll be wiser, braver, and surprised that it really didn't take as long as you expected it would.
#285 - Because He never lets us wander far off the path.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." - Psalm 37:8
Life is full of twists and turns. It can seem like a maize, too. And so you begin wandering through. You know you'll get through it but who knows how long it will take. Who knows if you'll solve the clues correctly or if you'll find each one quickly. Just because you have the right answer doesn't mean you may not have to search for a bit before you find out the next step. But with each one, you move foward. With each one, you get closer and closer to finding your way through. Sometimes, you back track. Sometimes, you end up going the wrong direction, making the wrong decision. The next thing you know, you're back to where you started. Back to the place you were trying so diligently to get away from. But you've learned along the way. As you've walked and searched for the next clue, you began to notice things. You take note of what you see and when you eventually come to the realization that you took a wrong turn, you now know what not to do again. You know which path not to take. You know what to look for and when you begin to get on the wrong path again, you realize it a lot faster because you've already been there. You've seen that it takes you further away from where you want to go and keeps you from moving forward. And so you turn, you avoid it and you go back to where you were. Make the right choice, the right decision, and begin walking in the right direction.
And so I'm thankful for those learning experiences. As hard as they are at the time, I'm thankful for those difficult paths that teach us what not to do. I'm thankful that often times those paths lead us right back to where we were so we can get it right. We can have a do-over and, rather than making the same mistake again, we get another chance to turn and walk in the right direction. Redemption! And although it is frustrating to be headed the wrong direction, to make a wrong decision, and to regress rather than progress, at least we know what we need to do differently next time. At least we know how to identify the right path and stick to it. And so you learn. You learn what to do, what not to do. Some clues are easier than others, some questions are easier to answer than others. Sometimes you get it wrong, sometimes you get it right. But God is faithful. He watches us, aware of our every move. And He'll be sure that one way or another we get headed the right direction. He'll be sure to get us through the maizes of life. It may take time, it may take a few attempts, and it may be trial and error for a while. But He never lets us get too far off the course if we keep our hearts set on Him. He may guide us back for one reason or another, or He may guide us forward. Either way, though, you'll get through it. One way or another, you'll eventually find your way out. And when you do, when you've made it through the set of twists and turns, you'll be wiser, braver, and surprised that it really didn't take as long as you expected it would.
#285 - Because He never lets us wander far off the path.
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." - Psalm 37:8
Comments
Post a Comment