Sometimes I sit and look back on my life and how God’s plan for me has been there from the beginning. Reflecting on the forks in the road and the paths I chose to take when faced with hard decisions. God is so patient, and I’m blessed that he waited for me to find my way.
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Life is sometimes like one of those puzzles where you work your way to the center by penciling through the circular maze. During the process, it seems frustrating. The end is just right there. Why is there never just a direct and easy path?
After hitting dead end after dead end you find hope is waning, but with persistence it pays off and you find that you have made it. Once you set the pencil down, you realize that you appreciated the game but looking back, you look down at the maze. You then see how the correct pathway was visibly right in front of you the whole time and wonder why you had such a hard time, but you become appreciative of the experience that the game could be played out and not so easily won.
Romans 5:3-4 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
As we live within each moment we are given, we find sometimes there are just dead ends, but God sees the big picture and is always there when we re-aim towards him. The correct path is one that is easily found when our decisions are based off our love for God. The right path brings us closer to him and leaves us with less regret and sorrows.
Many times, we want what the world offers us instead and then find ourselves on the long winding road. And I must admit, the scenic route was fun sometimes, but when I hit that dead end, I found myself in some low places, having made decisions that still have their consequences to this day.
Romans 4:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
I look back though and find beautiful moments with the hardships I experienced. What was once a point of strain is now looked back on as pivotal moments where there was growth in faith and character.
I smile at all the times God showed up during my walk through this maze of life. He wasn’t visible to me at the time, but now his footprints are everywhere. They were carrying me as I stumbled through life, knowing I could find my way back to him.
Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”
