Sometimes life feels like we’ve hit a dead-end. That thing you thought would last forever appears to be over. Sometimes it seems there’s a giant roadblock in the only way forward.
It happens to all of us. And rejection in any form stings no matter which angle we look at it. Endings can upend us.
I know dead-end roads Lord knows I’ve had plenty of them. And where I’m from those roads are made of gravel. Dead-ends can leave us feeling let down. They can be frustrating and annoying when you think your finally moving forward and the you hit the roadblock. And it can unsteady you like loose gravel under your tires.
Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our expectations of what that thing will look like that we become blind to the alternative route can open right before us.
It’s nice to know that there’s always a way to keep going when we choose to go after God. It might look a little different than then the picture in our minds.
There’s a saying that goes, “It’s easier for God to steer us in the right direction when we’re not anchored to the shore.
I don’t use the passion translation of the Bible very much but, in puts James 1:22 in a perfect way,
“Don’t just listen to the Word of truth and not respond to it, for that is thesense of self-deception. So always let His Word become like poetry writing and fulfilled by your life.”
We are to be those who listen and respond. In other words, we are to remain soft and steerable.
When we stop being steerable, we can end up making a U-turn on gravel road. And wondering where God went and why He left us. Perhaps He was five paces behind us, opening up a new way. We just couldn’t see Him because we were looking in the opposite direction.
I’ve been on more dead-end roads than I care to admit. Those roads may have been leading to good things, dreams that I thought God has spoken. But somewhere along the way. I elevated those dreams over the “dream maker.” I’ve tried to make things happen on my own, but then I stopped being steerable, and coy even see it. Until I reached the road sign telling me I was off track.
Dead-end roads might happen if.
- You think you’ve got it all under control
- You get frustrated when it doesn’t happen as soon as you want it too
- You trust everyone besides yourself
- You tighten your hold on the plan
- You want to rush through the journey
- You call God good only when He does what you want Him to
- You feel entitled to your dream
- You feel like it’s your fault it not working out
- You worry that you will disappoint others if you change course
- You get defensive quickly
- You always feel guilty for not doing enough
The things on this list might not apply, but if you resonate with a few, perhaps it’s time to sit down and get real with God and talk about the condition of your heart.
- Is your heart soft and steerable?
- Are you letting God lead, or pushing ahead on your own?
- What are you trying to prove, earn, or protect?
It’s okay to turn around, to admit you were wrong, and let God steer you in His way.
There’s not just one way to live a life of meaning. There’s not just one way to be a friend, there’s not just one way.
Let God Steer You! And You Won’t Go Wrong.
From Pity to Praise 