changing lanes

I know I've used road analogies before but I have another one. I was driving home from work one day and getting a little frustrated at the slowness of the car in front of me. I entertained thoughts of switching to the other lane but didn't. It was then that the turtle in front of me turned. Glad I didn't change lanes at the last minute, I was ecstatic when the other three cars in front of me turned as well, giving me a straight shot to my destination.

I then thought about how in life, we kinda do the same thing. When life becomes frustrating and we feel we're at a stand still, we might want to change lanes, thinking the other lane is quicker and will get us to where we're headed faster. Yet the other lane brings it's own challenges and could, in fact, hinder our arrival. My point is that we shouldn't be so quick to abandon the path we're on just because it feels as if we're traveling at a snail's pace. We have no idea what things await us if we just stay steady and enjoy the ride.

bottom of the ladder

Today was my brother's last day of middle school. Picking him up, I couldn't help but have flashbacks to my own last day of 8th grade - probably my favorite year. In 8th grade, you're at the top of the social ladder, an air of superiority in your step as you pass 6th and 7th graders in the hallway. Yet in two months, he will have to start over again, being at the bottom of the same social ladder he was once at the top of. This process can be seen outside of the school environment as well. Going from one job to another, you're labeled the "new girl/guy" until someone else comes along to claim the title.

While some may shy away from such experiences, preferring to stay where it's safe and predictable, it's these very experiences that help shape us. Alan Cohen once said, "It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power."

prayer

I was reading my devotional the other day and really liked the particular reading for the day. The book is called "Solo" by Eugene Peterson and all the verses are taken from the the Message translation. I like the Message because I think it just adds something more to the scriptures - making them somehow have more meaning. The passage is a prayer by Solomon as he dedicates the temple he's just built to God. I love the way it describes Solomon's physical condition as he prays - on his knees with arms outstretched (2 Chronicles 6:12-18).

"Then he [Solomon] knelt in full view of the whole congregation, stretched his hands to heaven, and prayed.

God, O God of Israel, there is no god like You in the skies above or on the earth below, who unswervingly keeps covenant with his servants and unfailingly loves them while they sincerely live in obedience to Your way. You kept Your word to David, my father, Your promise. You did exactly what You promised - every detail. The proof is before us today!

Keep it up, God, O God of Israel! Continue to keep the promises You made to David, my father, when You said, "You'll always have a descendant to represent My rule on Israel's throne, on the one condition that your sons are as careful to live obediently in My presence as you have."

O God, God of Israel, let this all happen - confirm and establish it!"

sprayed

I was driving to church this morning and there was a light drizzle in the air. Though I would rather not drive in the rain, it wasn’t really bothering me – just a little annoying. It wasn’t until I ended up behind another car that the rain became an issue. Since the roads were wet, the car’s tires in front of me were spraying water. This wasn’t a problem until I was closer to the car – the closer I got, the more water that was sprayed onto my windshield. I then began thinking about how this can relate to our walk with God. If we’re focused on pressing into Him and desiring that closeness, we’re going to get really wet. However, if we’re keeping a safe distance from Him, we may get a light sprinkle. I don’t know about you, but I want to get SOAKED.