40 Days of Believing God – Day 18

I love maps. I love looking at them, checking out places I’ve never been and plotting my course for long trips. I like knowing how many miles I’ll need to drive, the major milestones along the way and the best places to stop.

Last month, we drove from Fayetteville, Arkansas to Oceanside, California. It was a 1600 mile drive. It was long, but fairly easy. Take I-540 south for about 45 miles. Turn right and take I-40 for two days. Turn left on I-15 and you’re almost there.

Many years ago, Robyn and I were driving from Louisiana (where she’s from) to New Jersey (where I’m from). I’d plotted my course and knew where we could stop and how long it would take to arrive the next day. We made our overnight stop in Knoxville, TN.

The next morning we set out for New Jersey. My next landmark was Winchester, Virginia. As we drove, I started to see signs for Winchester, but it was much closer than I’d thought. I wasn’t sure how I’d miscalculated the distance, but at least it was an error in my favor.

Winchester was getting closer and closer. And then a saw the sign. “Welcome to Kentucky. The Bluegrass State.”

I was going the wrong way. At Knoxville, I’d taken a wrong turn. I wasn’t headed toward Winchester, Virginia, I was headed toward Winchester, Kentucky. I pulled into a rest area and checked the map. There was no short cut. I needed to drive back to Knoxville and get on the correct road.

It’s easy to get on the wrong road sometimes, think we’re making great time, only to discover we’re lost.

Today, you may find yourself feeling lost. Your circumstances are overwhelming. God seems distant. You’ve made some wrong choices. You’re feeling anxious and worried.

Maybe this is a good time to stop, pull over and get your bearings. Maybe this is a good day to go back to the beginning…a day to return to your First Love.

Let Jesus speak to your heart today.

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”  (John 5:24)

When evening came, his disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three or three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water; and they were terrified. But he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”  (John 6:16-20)

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

“Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.  (John 9:1-3)

Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”  (John 11:40)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.  (Revelation 5:11-14)