I have a terrible sense of direction, so I use my GPS a lot. Many times, even with its guidance, I still get lost or take a wrong turn. The beauty of another force guiding me is that when I lose my way, it immediately says rerouting and sets me back on course.
Sometimes I travel down wrong roads. Often I travel far in a wrong direction, and I feel too lost to find my way out. Sometimes I make poor choices that at the time of choosing seemed right, but the outcome turned out unfavorable. Other times I may not be happy with where or who I am at a given time.
The beauty of an adopted child of God is this, what appears irrevocable is ALWAYS redeemable. That does not always mean without consequences but disguised in the shadows of every ramification, no matter how dark, is a ray of light seizable for sincere hearts. I can plan my paths, but God guides my ways. When I run ahead of Him, I quickly become lost. Thankfully, when I stop and surrender to Him, He is faithful to reroute me, putting me back on track.
I cannot always choose what happens to me, and I will always make mistakes. The good news is, though I am a broken cistern, God has a habit of giving purpose to the punctured.
I, nor you would be human if we did not feel and grieve the pain of life. Feeling is part of healing but so is in due time rising from the wreckage waving a banner that says victor, not victim. Broken but better. Lost but found. Shackled but set free. Embattled but embraced.
Being saved is a one-time event, but living saved is a daily choice. The rain may fall, sting and even blind, but I must decide if I am going to feel the rain and rise to give witness to the sunshine that follows the storms, or remain wet and weighed down.
It is hard friends, but what is holy often comes with a price. It sure did for Jesus, and I am grateful He chose the riddled road less traveled because it made all the difference for me, and I pray for you as well.