From Despair to Joy: An Unexpected Journey (Part Two)

Road trips have always been a part of my life. Changing scenery, picnic lunches, and stretch breaks generate mostly happy memories. Each trip usually involved a good measure of planning, the most important being where and when the day’s travel would end. Having that final stopping place chosen ahead of time helped everyone cope with the long hours in the car.

Have you have found that true in life as well?

Although I know of a few “free-spirits” who relish the spur-of-the-moment adventures, most need to plan. We need to know the plans for the holidays: where we’re going, and who’s cooking what. Yet, if Covid taught us anything, it’s to hold our plans loosely.

Like the pandemic, my sudden change in course, described in part one abruptly altered everything. All traditions, familiar routines, and regular habits disappeared. It was like being on a road trip with no map and no end in sight. But I learned a few lessons. The first two I shared in a previous post here. I’ll wrap up this traveling blog with two more.

New Roads Lead to New Adventures

So, I missed the road I’d been on, but new roads can be exciting, too. Long before we were married, I shared with my future spouse some reluctance to becoming a pastor’s wife. Obviously, he convinced me otherwise and one of his “arguments” included a promise that our life together would consist of many adventures. He wasn’t wrong. Since our marriage and ministry began, we’ve lived in and explored five states and traveled to nine countries if you count Lichtenstein. We’ve met and shared the message of Christ with the most amazing people.

Each adventure has brought new challenges, yes, but also new opportunities for growth, and a front row seat watching God work. In Isaiah 43:19, he states, “See! I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Though God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8) his strategies to reach the lost evolves with the ever-changing world in which we live. Did you ever dream so many churches, especially the small ones, would be live streaming services? I realize it has affected church attendance but think of the home-bound and elderly who can watch and worship on their TV’s and phones. There is no denying the Covid lockdown caused much grief, but God, who works all things out for our good (Romans 8:28), was indeed at work through it and doing a new thing. You see, the pandemic didn’t surprise him.

He Holds the Roadmap

If I promise not to break into a chorus of “Jesus Take the Wheel,” will you hang in here with me for one more lesson? Yet…it’s kind of true. When we surrender our lives to him, he takes us on a ride of twists, turns, ups, downs, and many unexpected journeys. Yet—and here’s the lesson—they are not unexpected to him.

Travel back with me to Psalm 39. Here we see a description of God’s presence from our beginning: how he made us, how he was and continues to be with us throughout our life. Then my favorite part comes in verse 16: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” There it is. We may not know what’s up ahead, but he does. He knows EXACTLY where your life is headed. He’s there and fully aware of the terrain and weather.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze,” (Isaiah 43:2).

Okay, so no one welcomes deep waters and fire, but do you see all those promises tucked into that verse? We are not alone!

The road traveled with Jesus may bring unexpected turns, but it’s also full of adventure, beautiful scenery, life, and growth. Best of all, there IS a final destination. One day the road will end bringing immeasurable joy.“…you who believe in him are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls,” (1 Peter 1:8-9).

When the journey ends and Jesus welcomes us home, we’ll know the trip was worth it.

YOUR TURN:
When have you felt your journey had no end in sight? Please share in the comments so I can pray for you.

Maybe you’re on one right now. What navigations system are you using? Is it reliable? Don’t forget to plug into God’s word. He promises it will be a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.