“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
A jeep ride through the rolling hills of the country is one of my absolute favorite things to do with my Dad. Ever since I was young, we would put the top down on the jeep, turn on some country music, and just drive. With every intersection we would come to he would ask me which way to go. Before long we’d get to a spot that my Dad would say, “I’ve never been here before.” We just drove on and eventually came across a road that he was somewhat familiar with, then begin to navigate our way home.
This past week, we finished up a bike ride and on our way back to the house, I noticed that we made an unexpected turn. It was the beginning of one of these same adventures. Immediately, my heart filled with joy and my mind grew so present. Every worry washed away and every districting thought fled as my mind filled with the memories of every jeep ride of the past. I became so present in that moment. I noticed the freshness of the crisp air filling my lungs, the breeze on my face, and the sky beginning to change colors with the setting sun. For better or worse, I became more aware of the lovely smells of the countryside in the late summer too.
I was soaking in and embracing every detail. Just my Dad and I purposely getting lost on the backroads.
My Dad’s statement of, “I don’t know where we’re going” was like music to my ears.
I sit here today and reflect on this experience with my Dad. I think about how my peace actually grew as we became less aware of our location and more aware of the details. How does this apply to my every day?
I don’t know about you, but so often I want to know the plan for my life. I want to know what is coming my way on a day by day basis, and I cannot tell you how many times I have said, I just want a snapshot for what my future is going to look like. Where am I going to be living? What am I going to be doing? Am I going to get married or have a family? Maybe I’ll have a dog or two? Who am I going to be surrounded by?
I look at this desire to know every twist and turn of my life, and then I think about being in the jeep. I wouldn’t be able to pinpoint myself on a map or predict the next turn, but in my awareness of the details I am overwhelmed by peace. How applicable this is for me today.
In my limited understanding, peace would come from knowing more; knowing where I am going and having full control of the turns that this life will bring. But truly, peace is available to us in a greater awareness of the details surrounding our every day.
I want to walk through this life aware of the details.
I want to see God’s hand in my every day, rather than know my path for the days to come. I want to see Him at work, rather than waste time searching for the GPS for my life. I want to trust Him with my journey, rather than reaching over to grab the steering wheel.
I am walking away from my computer challenged today and my hope is that you will be too.
I want to leave you with this final thought.
Just as my Dad and I always manage to find our way back home, I can be sure that, I too, am on my path home. Though we may not know every twist and turn coming our way in this life, God has opened the door and provided a Bridge to a sure and firm final destination. In this, we have eternal hope.
Confidently trust in His plan to lead you home as you absorb the details of the journey. Let His peace overwhelm you.
