Where Do I Go Now?

The road behind our house is a major thoroughfare in a residential area. The road was widened and redone about 2 years ago. Apparently now, it is time to dig up a portion of it for some unknown reason. As a result, this four-lane, median divided road is now down to two-lanes on one side of the median so that the work can be done.

While driving this temporary change is not fun, watching other people drive it and watching workmen mark the temporary path is quite amusing. Three weeks ago, workmen started putting out those orange cones to change the traffic flow to permit the road work. About an hour later they picked up all the cones and left the area. No work was started or done. Two weeks later they came back and placed orange cones in a slightly different pattern. A day or two later, the work began. This morning, the orange cone man returned and slightly rearranged the cones while the work on the road continues.

Can you guess what is happening with the traffic? Some people are stopping to try and figure out where they are supposed to go. Others are driving around and through the cones like it is a maze. Still others make U-turns and go back the way they came. A few seem to follow the constantly changing path correctly and continue on their way.

As I observed this from our breakfast area, it occurred to me that all of us are faced with life that is often changing from our well-worn and frequently traveled paths. The question for all of us is "How can I know which direction to go when changes occur?" My answer would be that it is dependent upon whether the one placing the changes in front of you is able to be trusted.

I have questions about the workman placing the orange cones. He seems a little uncertain about where the cones are to be. On the other hand, I have no questions about allowing Jesus to be the one who is guiding my life. Early in Jesus' earthly ministry He called 12 men to be His disciples. The calling of the first two is recorded in Matthew 4:18-20.

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers,

Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting

a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He said to them,

"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."

And immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 4:18-20 (ESV)

Peter and Andrew choose to follow Jesus rather than to wander aimlessly through whatever were the orange cones of their day. In 1875, Fanny Crosby wrote the hymn "All the Way My Savior Leads Me." Rather than listing all the verses of this hymn, here are a few selected lines that appear in the song:

• All the way my Savior leads me

• Cheers each winding path I tread

• Gives me grace for every trial

• For I know whatever befalls me, Jesus doeth all things well

  
  

Peter and Andrew chose to follow Jesus through life. I have made that same choice in my life. We all must answer the question, "Who are you following?" There are many wrong ways, closed roads, potholes, landslides, washed out bridges, and roads that lead nowhere that lure us to try them. Likewise, there are many so-called guides who claim to know the best path for our lives. Only Jesus loves us and calls us to follow on the one road that leads to life.

May we not become distracted by or enamored with ways of life that stand in opposition to all that God teaches us in the Bible and revealed to us through His Son Jesus. Deciding where to go on our own can result in disaster. Jesus is the only way that leads us all the way to life and to God the Father. Make sure you are on the right road and following the right guide.