I was driving on the highway the other day, I forget where, and way down on the other side, I saw a really long line of cars. There must have been an accident or road work. I’m not sure. But when we drove past, the road was just starting to clear and cars were moving.
We drove maybe half a mile, around a curve, and I noticed that a few cars were peeling off, driving through the grass median separating their highway from ours. I wanted to stop them and yell, “Don’t go!! Cars are moving. You’ll be on your way in just a minute!” But, of course, I couldn’t.
I understood the sentiment. Those cars had likely been sitting there for a while, waiting, not knowing when they’d move again. Gas was probably running low. Tempers too. Somehow, sitting stuck in traffic for even ten minutes is worse than driving at the speed limit for an hour. So I watched as cars turned around to go in the opposite direction, when their way was clear just around the next bend.
I thought, How often have I done that with God? He leads me down a path, and it seems fine, then BAM. I’m stuck. I get cranky, frustrated, confused. I decide I don’t want that path anymore. It’s too hard. Maybe it’s a difficult friendship, a cruel coworker, an illness or injury…and I just want OUT.
And, I’ll admit, I’ve driven over that median and turned around more than I care to admit. I don’t like difficulties. I really don’t like waiting. But what if some of those times, the end was right around the corner? What if, instead of leaving that friendship behind, I had pushed through? Maybe the bond would have been stronger in the end. What if I had shown that cruel coworker compassion? Maybe forgiveness would have come in days instead of months. What if, as the beautiful song says, our blessings come through raindrops, our healing through tears? What if running away or turning back prevents us from blessings God planned for us when He placed us on that path?
Friends, I don’t know what kind of obstacles are in your path right now. But I do know that, if God put you there, He is with you. Don’t turn around, don’t run away, don’t miss out on what He is trying to do. We may not see the end, but He does. We can trust Him.
And, if you already turned around — it’s not too late to go back. God is waiting for you. He loves you. He doesn’t promise that our lives will be easy, but He does promise to never leave us. Follow Him. He always knows the best routes.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~Prov. 3:5-6
