Ask for Directions

Psalm 43:3 "Give me Your lantern and compass, give me a map, so I can find my way to the sacred mountain, to the place of Your presence" (The MESSAGE Version).

Greetings,

Summer is in full swing, and many of us have either taken a vacation or are planning one.  I am in the latter group.  Jorge and I will be celebrating 30 years of marriage soon, and we are embarking on one epic road trip.

 

In the past Jorge and I would have probably just hit the road with an over inflated sense of adventure and a, "Let's just see where the road takes us!" mentality.  But we have learned our lesson. It's no fun looking around for a hotel in the middle of the night, in freezing cold temperatures, with low fuel, and two small hungry children.   

So we are making plans and conducting some very fancy research.  We have noted our points of interest, started a to-do list, and because we might invite Hershey Pie, have even  googled "Road Trips with Pets."  We are proud of ourselves for being organized, and are taking smart steps to get us where we want to go.  

The greatest point of interest we should all visit regularly is God's sacred mountain, which is the place of His presence, and there is only one smart step to take: Ask for directions.

In His presence there is peace, joy, faith, hope, protection, provision, laughter, contentment, and rest.  When we ask for God's lantern, compass, and map, He will gladly provide them so we can "find our way" to where He is.  He sends light, truth, and faithful care to lead and guide us in the right direction.

Let's ask!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Send us Your light! Provide a map straight to where You are.  Help us avoid danger in our lives, and thank You that the map You provide leads us to good things.  We pray that that You would especially instill a moral compass in our children so they always make wise choices.  In Jesus' name, AMEN! 

Open Our Eyes~

Tuesday greetings~

I love taking road trips.  Jorge is a pleasant companion, the scenery is pretty, and when I sing-a-long to the radio, I sound fabulous.  My favorite place is anywhere where the leaves have turned colors in all their fall glory.  There is one stretch of highway between Tennessee and Georgia, however, that is so perilous I always close my eyes and move toward the center of the car.  I realize my body is fully protected inside the car, but that two-way road is so narrow that I feel as though we are going to hit either the oncoming traffic or the railing on the other side.  One part of this road goes through a winding tunnel, and there is no way to see what’s around the corner.  The first time we went through it, I pretty much screamed the entire way.  The next time and since then, Jorge always reminds me to close my eyes. 

I don’t like it when I can’t see what’s up ahead; it’s a scary feeling.  Life is kind of like that too.  None of us really knows what’s next, and sometimes that can leave us feeling anxious.

Even though we don’t know what’s next, we know Someone Who does.  And He says, “I know the plans that I have for you.  They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

God’s plan is to give us peace and hope.  No need to close our eyes!  We can’t see everything that’s coming, but He can, and He desires to bless us with peace and hope.  To receive His plan we have to receive Him.  We get on board by letting Him know every day that we want His guidance, His protection, and His provision in our lives.  And even when everything in our life seems to be anything but peaceful or hopeful, we stretch our faith muscles and tell Him that His way is best because ultimately everything we have ever hoped for will come true.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We love Your plans for our life!  We want peace, we need hope, and none of us ever wants disaster.  Help us to trust You – especially when we go through hard times.  Rather than going through life with our eyes closed, open our eyes to see Your power and goodness all around us. Thank You for always having good things in store for us.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~