I'm currently travelling nearly 7 hours to a gig with our daughter and the band she is playing with this weekend. It's beautiful countryside and we are following google maps to get there.
However, a few minutes ago our friend and fellow band member who was 15 minutes behind, caught up with us and is now leading the way.
They've travelled this way many times before and rather than follow the usual course they have taken a different road. We figured he's practically a local and will know all the little off-main road routes that will help us get there on time or a little earlier. So we've decided to trust him to get us there in time and we are following closely behind so we don't lose him and get lost. Although we did think for a moment, what if we accidentally followed some car and it wasn't our friend up ahead after all. We could be following a total stranger and end up anywhere.
Life is a bit like a long road trip. It's much more fun with good people to share the journey with, plus when we spend time getting to know Jesus and His words we don't need to worry so much about not recognising if it's him we're listening to, making wrong turns or having to always follow the standard routes.
His way is often the road less travelled, but as I look at the beautiful scenery, it is full of happy surprises. Likewise, when we are brave enough to follow Jesus, keep in step with Him and trust in His promises that He will lead and guide us in the best way to go, He will.
Fortunately, just like the friend we are following who knows the way and all the best routes, Jesus knows the way, the best spots and scenery.
Because we are following someone who knows the way, maps have notified us we will arrive earlier than expected because we've taken a quicker but not so well-known route, known only by those familiar with this road. We make our plans but he directs our steps. (Proverbs 16:9) As we chose to follow our friend today, maps suddenly caught up with our route and notified us that we would arrive earlier than expected because we've taken a not-so-well-known route, which is quicker, but obviously known only by those familiar with this road and destination. Today I encourage you to take time to get to know Jesus, His Word and the path He wants to lead you on. It will look different from the mainstream and the world's way of doing things but it is the path to abundant life and some pretty great adventures. Be brave enough to take the road less travelled and follow Jesus today - He knows the way.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are the good shepherd who promises to lead me. Please help me to keep following you even when you lead on unknown paths or new places and opportunities that I may not have experienced or am familiar with. I trust you today, so you lead and I will follow. In Jesus name Amen.
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