Monday Morning Devotion-March 28, 2022

The Way to Go

It is God who has made us and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.     Psalm 100.3

         "There once was a calf who always walked along a well-traveled path through the woods.  It was the way all other animals traveled because all the underbrush had been cleared out by the foot traffic.

            One day this calf decided to veer off the path and wander through the woods.  The next day the calf did the same thing.  After he had done this a number of times a big enough opening through the trees and bushes had been made that other animals started to take it.  Soon people came along the old path and turned off onto this new path.

            Before long, this new path became well-traveled enough that it was made into a dirt road.  Then, as people started to build homes in the area, it was made into a paved road that cars traveled along.   Afterwards it became a busy street with stores on it.  Finally, it was made into a high-speed interstate highway running along this same path that one calf decided to take many years before."   (from the Ebook Monday Morning Devotions 2 The Calf Path)

            Stop and think about this:  As you examine the way things are going along your life path is there something occurring that is not in sync with the way you want it to be?   Is it the same path you have been traveling for a long time?  Are you happy?  Perhaps, there are things in your daily life that are not exactly how you would like for them to be.  Is there a new path you have considered trying in certain areas of your life?  Why not step out like that calf did and explore a new way of doing things?

            First consider this:  Who is The Way Maker of all these paths and the one who can lead you down a new path that will be the right one?  Actually, God is the Ultimate Way Maker.  But here's the thing (checking back in MMD2)          "Sometimes the Way Maker is going to direct our paths in a direction that is just not all that convenient.  We may look at it and say: 'What's up with this? I'd rather stay on this safe, well-traveled path. Why should I go off in that direction?  All I can see is dense woods full of briars and brambles and probably snakes, bears and who knows what.'

            Authors Cloud and Townsend (What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do) point out this tidbit of information that is important to consider as we test out this new road seeking the riches of God's blessing.  "When God makes a way for us, it usually takes time, so we must allow time for God to work."

            Does it sometimes seem that God is working too slow for you?  Think of it in terms of antibiotics.  Say what?  I'm sure you have had an antibiotic prescribed for you when you were feeling rotten.  Maybe you had a heavy cold or the flu or something that was making you feel downright yucky.  The doctor prescribed an antibiotic to help you heal. 

            You get it from the drugstore and read the directions which say for you to take these pills twice or three times a day for ten days until you have taken all of them.  You are instructed to not stop taking them until they are all gone.

            Why is this?  It's because after a few days you start feeling better, think you are well, and stop taking the pills. But you are getting false signals.  You are not well, yet.  You have not allowed the antibiotic to complete its work.  If the germs that caused you to feel bad are still in your system, even though it may seem like they are on life support, they will not die out and will start to regain strength which means you will start to lose strength again.  It's possible these germs, without having to fight the antibiotic anymore, can come back stronger than they were in the first place.  Then you've got bigger problems.

            So don't worry about God.  He is working.  He is on the job 24-7, so if it seems like no progress is being made when you have taken that new path, the one you felt like God was urging you to take in order for your prayer(s) to be answered.

            The One who created the Universe created us. He didn't just throw us out there to sink or swim on our own.  Our creation was a well-planned, well-thought-out process.  God has made a way for all of us to go, a path to tread and a plan to follow.  We must believe that for this new path to work out for the best our faith is the key.

            The Way Maker has the path all mapped out for us.  Disregard all the distractions and reasons, disguised as thick underbrush with vines and stickers and anything else negative, that can dissuade you by putting doubts in your mind.

            God, the Way Maker has the path all mapped out for you.  In faith, take it, follow his lead, then watch the heavy underbrush of doubts and fears get hacked, cleared and developed into a superhighway of success in your life.

Prayer: Lord as we step out in faith along new and different paths continue to confirm that we are taking those that you have created for us.     Amen!