Taking the unfamiliar road to find the unexpected.

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“Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.”
Psalm 25:4 New Living Translation

There is little I enjoy more than taking an obscure road to discover where it leads.  A quaint little town? An eclectic house? A grove of beautiful trees? A dead end?

Recently on a visit to my niece and nephew’s home, we took a drive, on a muggy day, through part of Iowa we had never seen. Ahead was a sign that said Lewis and Clark Monument with an arrow that pointed to a tree lined road. My nephew Tom turned onto it and had to drive a few miles before we arrived. I was a little apprehensive, thinking it was going to be a sign by the side of the road merely showing a faded and worn map of their journey. We came to the entrance of Lewis and Clark State Park and drove up a steep driveway. As we turned the corner, and arrived at the crest of the hill, there was a collective gasp, because there was an amazing overlook of the Missouri River. You could see Council Bluffs, downtown Omaha, the major train station hub, a huge power plant, and several interesting bridges. The panoramic view was breathtaking.

We later discovered that very few locals know it exists. A wealthy citizen of the area funded the entire infrastructure which included picnic areas, trails, sculptures, and information about Lewis and Clark. Standing there, I was grateful that Lewis and Clark blazed the trail through this path.

I thought of the roads God had set before me in life. How many corners did I turn, and found them to be amazing adventures with Him? How many didn’t I take, because I feared they might be dead ends? How many did I take, that I wished I wouldn’t have, yet they ended in untold blessings?

“Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in you.”
Psalm 25:4-5 New Living Translation

I don’t want to be hindered by worldly obstacles when it comes to the paths God has laid out for me to travel. I don’t want to worry about how or where they will end, because I know that God will always keep me close to Him and guide me by His light. I don’t want to miss learning new things about His nature, His character, and His love. I want to be part of an adventure of a lifetime, in this life on earth and the life to come with Christ!

Dearest Lord, Help me to trust you to lead me down paths you’ve set before me, no matter where they go, because I know you love me and want me to discover more of you each day. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, CO