5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Folk seem to have been just landed in [adventures], usually — their paths were laid that way. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t. And if they had, we shouldn’t know, because they’d have been forgotten.” – Samwise Gamgee
J.R.R. Tolkien
Navigating the Path
This week I went on a road trip to the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference at Ridgecrest Conference Center. As the title suggests, it is in the mountains, Black Mountain, North Carolina to be precise. My sister and I took the trip in my “new” used car, and it was my first chance to use the navigation system. We were amused at one point when she, the navigation system, pronounced, “Be prepared to continue straight.”
Be Prepared
We laughed because how do you prepare to go straight? It might not have been so amusing if I had known what was coming. As it was, we had our destination plotted into the system and headed out, confident that all was well. When we hit the curves and hills going into the mountains of North Carolina, my car began to falter and fight to move forward, lights began to flash on the dashboard, and my car began to send me text messages.
Continue
A harrowing 17 miles later, we arrived in a small town with a parts store, but their scanner was broken. He gave us advice and sent us another harrowing 17 miles to the next town, where the employee told us the car was not firing on all cylinders. Normally, I would have found that amusing, but I was a little stressed. He said it would run, but not well, but should get us to our destination, which was another 60 miles over mountainous terrain. So, we set out again.
Straight
We headed as straight as possible to the conference center. I was stressed, a little snippy (probably understatement of the year), and tired. The navigation led us to our destination as straight as possible, and we pulled into a parking place in relief and exhaustion. We soon discovered a series of stairs led to the end of our journey, and I hobbled up as my driving leg had developed spasms and pain, which had caused several stops along the way. We hobbled into registration line, a rather long line. When we were checked in, we found a parking place near our rooms, unloaded the car and began the conference exhausted and a little disheveled. In the end, it was worth every step of the journey.
Takeaway
- We can never be totally prepared for what the path ahead holds, but God has gone before us.
And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8
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We must continue on no matter what the journey holds.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
- Straight doesn’t just mean without curves, like a line. It also means “right or correct, as reasoning, thinking, or a thinker” (dictionary.com). We have to keep on the straight and narrow with our thoughts and action.
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:14
Full Circle
On the way home, despite my attempts to the contrary, we ended up going back the way we came, this time with no issues. We returned to a rest stop that was like an oasis complete with a rolling stream, trees for shade, flowers, and a refreshing breeze. I realized it was the last place we stopped before heading into our harrowing adventure, and it was the place we stopped on our way back. We had come full circle. God had been faithful even when I was stressed, and He had laid people in our path to help us get to our destination and back home. He truly went before and behind and alongside us.
Be prepared to continue straight because the enemy will always find ways to try and detour us. He did not want me to attend the conference where I gained so much encouragement, spiritual guidance, and opportunities, but God made a way when I trusted Him and continued straight.
How has God made the path straight for you?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4XWfwLHeLM
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I pray you’ve made it home safe. Would still worry about whatever sensor that is that’s causing your engine to misfire. Pray it’s an easy, and inexpensive fix.
I had it repaired while in Black Mountain. Debbie Presnell was kind enough to help us find a mechanic. It ran fine all the way home. Thanks for your prayers.