Recently, I went hiking in the mountains in Phoenix, Arizona with my brother and niece. We found that it could be difficult to make forward progress! We went out every day and each trail offered new challenges and different mountain views. Sometimes we walked alongside towering saguaro cactus and other days the trail was dusty and full of jagged rocks. On top of that, one park contained every shape and size of boulder, a seemingly brown landscape without greenery. The trail was difficult to follow and we often found ourselves backtracking to find the main path. The size of the rocks and the incline of the mountain made it hard to find places that allowed passage. However, with a heart full of determination, we found there was always a way through. And on the other side, we found the bright sunshine and blue skies again.
Making Forward Progress
Life has a way of impeding our forward progress too. Sometimes were in a place where there is a rock AND a hard place surrounding us. But remember, there is always a way through. Finding the way forward can be tricky, but we don’t have to find it in our own strength. God says, “I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling. This is my solemn promise. ” (Isaiah 42:16, CEV) That means He may take you forward in a way you weren’t expecting, but here’s the key: you’re moving forward. Keep leaning on God, because on the other side, there’s bright sunshine and blue skies.
Things to do today:
- Got Questions? Ask God for direction.
- Read a similar blog called: ‘We Can Ask God for Help’ and listen to song ‘Way Maker.’
I recently went to 
My family planned a week-long outing at one of our favorite campgrounds. Upon arrival, I discovered the road leading into the campground was under six feet of water. There is a road that leads out of the campground, but when I checked, it was flooded too. What to do now? Four campers were on the way and we needed to find higher ground. As it turned out, there was an access road at the back of the campground. Fortunately, it was at a higher elevation. When the campers arrived, I was uneasy about staying. Despite my reservations, my brother informed me all the water would be gone in a day and the sun would even dry the water near our campers. To my delight, he was right. It turns out that camping on higher ground has its benefits.
On a recent trip to Maui, my friends and I decided to drive the famous Hana Highway. It’s a twisting, winding, and narrow road that crosses 46 bridges that are one lane wide. The road contains hundreds of hairpin curves. As you enter these ‘no-visibility’ bends in the road, you must blow your horn to warn oncoming traffic. There are mile-markers along the way, yet this famous highway is void of signs to alert tourists to Black Sand Beach, numerous flowing waterfalls, or bamboo hiking trails. Luckily, someone told us about buying a ‘Road to Hana Highway CD.’ This gave us an inside scoop on a perfect day: when to keep going, when to slow down, and when to stop and enjoy. Our experience that day was immeasurably better with guidance!
Not surprisingly, we’ve had another shift in weather in northwest Ohio. We had fierce winds the other night and those winds left behind colder temperatures and an obvious chill in the air. My furnace is running constantly, trying to keep up with the sudden change. Despite the cold, when I look out my windows the sun is shining brightly. And even though there was snow on the ground this morning, I can see the tiniest buds sneaking out on the branches of the trees in my yard. Spring is on the way.
One of my closest friends just retired this week from the United States Army. Her career started as an inexperienced Second Lieutenant and peaked as a Colonel, and reflecting on its entirety, I couldn’t be more proud. Her combat boots saw action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia. In the United States, those boots touched numerous military bases, including the headquarters of the Department of Defense, the Pentagon itself. But as of this week, her life is about to change. Drastically. She must have dozens of questions: What will I do? Where will I go? What’s next?
Recently, my mom and I were driving along and suddenly came upon a dense fog. The visibility was better when we were in populated areas with a lot of lights, but it decreased as we headed towards the country roads. It was strange to have a destination in mind, but not be able to see too far ahead. We kept peering through the darkness to see if we recognized landmarks and strained to read the road signs. To our surprise, as we drove down a quiet country road, suddenly the fog lifted and we could see clearly. It was quite a relief to see the entire road in front of us and even look into the distance and see exactly where we were headed.
In the movie ‘Finding Nemo,’ there’s a funny scene where a group of fish are going to school. A few of the younger fish see a boat in the distance and wonder what it could be. One thinks he knows and says it’s called a butt. In the scene, they dare each other to swim out and touch it. (Don’t judge me, I didn’t write the movie). Since then, when I swim at a beach with my niece, we try to swim all the way out to the ‘butt’, (AKA the buoy). It’s not a simple feat. The distance to the buoy makes it difficult and the waves moving to shore are pushing against us. We press on and keep the buoy in sight, yelling encouragement to each other as we go. As we come close to it, it’s bobbing all over in the water, so it’s hard to touch. Finally successful, one of us yells, “I touched the butt!”
Early in the morning as I drive to work each day, I see someone walking their dog. It’s pitch black outside, and more than a little chilly that time of day, and yet someone is faithfully walking the family pet. The best part about seeing the pair is watching as the flashlight being carried carves a path of light in the darkness. Every step their feet, (and paws), takes is illuminated by one small flashlight. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)