HEAR the Word Wednesday – July 23, 2008
“In Your unfailing love You will lead the people You have redeemed. In Your strength You will guide them to Your holy dwelling.” – Exodus 15:13-14
I happen to be a HUGE fan of road trips. I love the hours of conversation, singing along with the radio, and experiencing the scenery and culture of the United States. Over the last seven years, my car and I have driven all the way from the west coast to the east coast, with many states visited in between. Even this summer, Dirt, Aflac and I drove from Chicago to camp together, and in just a few weeks I will embark on that trip once again for my return to seminary. Bottom line, Beasley loves the adventure of the open road.
However, even with my love of adventure, I am also a planner when it comes to my road trips. I like to know exactly what highways we’re taking, about when we’ll eat lunch, or where we might sleep for the night. I imagine that many of you resonate with these tendencies. It’s not a bad thing to be organized in the things that we’re doing, but a problem exists when I try to apply those same principles to my everyday life to the point of being consumed with the knowing. I’d like to know what I’ll be doing two years from now when I finally graduate from school again, where I’ll be living, and what people will be in my immediate community. Unfortunately, I can’t exactly plan out my life the way I can plan out the details to a good road trip… in fact, the opposite is most often true.
This summer God has been teaching me a great deal about surrendering. It’s something that I probably should have learned many years ago, but like certain aspects of our spiritual lives, surrender seems like a theme I may have to frequently revisit. That’s why I’m particularly encouraged by those words from Exodus. After experiencing the undeniable power of God in the Red Sea event, Moses and the Israelites respond in Exodus 15 with a great song of praise. In it, they exalt in the nature of God as their deliverer, as their strength, and as the one who ultimately will lead them wherever they need to go.
In God’s steadfast and unchanging love, He promises to lead us, His people. Therefore, even when the details seem unsure, we can take great comfort in the not knowing, for our God goes before us, making the path straight. Be encouraged this day that God is leading you in whatever part of the journey you are on this summer! Surrender the details of life to Him, and get ready to enjoy the ride.
Blessings,
Beasley
