I’m directionally challenged.
That doesn’t mean I can’t follow directions; I can.
In fact, I’m a rule-follower who takes directions very seriously. But I get off-track easily too, especially if I’m trying to find my way while driving. It’s kind of a joke with those who know me because I can get turned around like you wouldn’t believe.
I think about the truth found in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Pressing forward sort of implies not turning back.
It’s hard to go two directions at once. It’s hard to start going forward a bit, stopping until you mess things up by turning back, and eventually pressing on again. It’s a daily battle for me in my life, not with destinations, but with my life as I’m on my way to my ultimate destination.
When I’m trying to go somewhere new, I often get turned around. I end up not going toward my destination for a bit while I get my bearings again. I know where I’m going; I just don’t know how to get there.
Sometimes I stop and think I know a better way. This is always a bad idea on my part. I should faithfully follow the directions no matter what because they have been given to me by someone who has been there before.
Why do I think I suddenly know a better way? Who am I to question someone who obviously knows more than I do about the road I’m on?
I want to move forward with Jesus. I know I need to spend time with Him. I clearly understand the value of reading my Bible, spending time in prayer, and letting my time with Him flow out of me and onto others.
But sometimes I don’t do the right things. Sometimes I let looking back, usually in the form of replaying some hurt someone caused me, rob me of moving forward and into the arms of Jesus, the only One who loves me completely and in spite of me.
Just because I mess up doesn’t mean Jesus has left me. He hasn’t moved at all. He is shining His Light so very brightly, showing me the way. He doesn’t dim His Light just because I stumble, just because I turn back, just because I choose to go my own way instead of following the directions He has given me. No, His Light is always there, patiently waiting for me.
I’m glad Jesus never stops showing me the way. In spite of the messes I make daily, in spite of how I manage to lose my direction over and over again, in spite of how I often choose not to see the Light as it shines so brightly on everything in my path, I’m glad Jesus never dims it, never leaves me to myself, never stops showing me the way.
I’m grateful that I’m not the one in charge. I’m grateful for the beautiful truth of John 14:6 where I’m told that “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
I’m so glad He is shining His Light on my path, constantly showing me the way to Him.
