Hi Peace Family! Last week I drove down to Houston like I have done dozens of times since being diagnosed with cancer in 2013. I know the way to MD Anderson by heart. Hwy 6 to 290 to the 610 Loop South. I was not paying attention (I was deep in thought and on automatic pilot). Suddenly the 610 interchange was coming up and I had forgotten whether to split left or right. I went right. Right onto the 610 Loop North. Wrong direction. It took me a few exits to get over and get off the Loop. Then when getting back on I came upon the 290 interchange. I had never come from this direction towards the 290. In that moment I was confused. It happened so fast. I missed it again. This NEVER happens to me.
In the years I had driven to Houston I had never taken the wrong road. Not once. It was a little disturbing and was a wake up call. I ended up catching the 59 down through downtown Houston to get to MD Anderson Cancer Center. I was 45 minutes late to the appointment. I called ahead and let them know I was lost downtown and on my way. It was embarrassing to admit. How could this happen after all this time?
In that moment I realized that is how we are in our Christian walk with God. We know the direction and path to take and have followed it for a long time. Then, in a moment of not paying attention, we take a wrong road and make a poor decision or react badly to a situation. It has happened to all of us. It can be disheartening to realized you missed the mark and failed miserably. Embarrassing to admit. But that is the key…admitting our mistakes and sins and asking for forgiveness.
Why is it even harder to do after you’ve done so well for so long? God has a way of keeping each of us humble. Sometimes we need to be shaken out of auto pilot back into being consciously aware of what road we are on and of our actions and deeds. You can slip and fall back into old patterns or get lost very quickly. That’s why staying in God’s Word is so important. It’s our road map to navigate this life. Also important is staying in fellowship with fellow believers. It keeps you grounded and accountable.
So heads up, Peace Family. This walk is not an easy one and not one you can do on auto-pilot. It takes staying in God’s Word, nurturing your relationship with the Lord, and staying accountable to fellow believers. Thank God for His grace! It is a cornerstone to the Christian faith. Whether you are on the road you want to be or on a road you regret, Jesus is there reaching out to you in love and grace and He will help you. Sometimes it just takes a wake up call to realize it!
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