Life is Like Enlarging a Fish Pond, Part 19 The Path

In Part 18, my yard was complaining about losing more dirt, specifically in such a narrow band. It didn’t understand why the rich dirt was removed along with the dry clay.  My answer had been to make room for something new. Here it is. I think my yard is content now.

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God will remove dirt in our lives – both old, dry things and rich, productive things – at times to make room for something new. Often it doesn’t make sense to us with our limited wisdom but when it’s finished, we will understand. Sometimes that happens when we are still alive; sometimes that happens only after we meet Him in heaven.

The path God sets us on may twist and turn for good reasons. Sometimes He has us go the way of least resistance (like I followed the dried clay) or to make the least amount of disturbance to others as possible (like I avoided as much grass as possible). Sometimes it’s to avoid an unnecessary battle (like a thick root) or to go around something that may cause injury (like my rose garden).

But no matter the shape or the length, we can be assured that God has good reasons for whatever path He has created for us. We just need to stay on it.

Scriptures:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. Psalm 25:10

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence. Acts 2:28

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. Psalm 17:5

Life is Like a Beach, section 1: The Path

The following is part of a book I would like to publish someday. It’s too long to blog as one post so I’m breaking it up section by section.  Each section can be read as a stand-alone, and hopefully my analogies will provide food for thought as well as encouragement to keep on going no matter where you find yourself in life.  Oh, and all photos were taken by me and are untouched other than cropping when necessary. God’s creation is so awesome just the way it is!

 

The Path

There are many kinds of paths to the beach. Some are straight and you can see where you are heading.

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Some are curved and you have to trust that it will actually take you where you want to go.

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Some require some climbing.

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Sometimes it seems the path goes on forever and the journey is just not worth it. And some even make you feel you’re heading in the wrong direction.

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Sometimes, in the sun, it can get hot and painful to walk on. And if I’m not careful, I might even get a splinter or two.

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But if I look carefully, I can see that I’m not the only one travelling this path.

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Knowing others have gone this way and made it to the end (I know because there are no skeletons along the way) reassures me that I can too. And keeping my thoughts on the goal – the water –  helps me stay motivated to keep walking.

The same is true in life. Sometimes our path in life is straightforward, other times it seems to curve in unexpected directions. Sometimes circumstances make our days seem long and hard and painful and we think they will never end. But remembering that we are not alone, that others have faced the same struggles we are facing and have gotten past them, can encourage us. Just like them, we can survive this and eventually get to a better place somewhere up  ahead if we just keep walking. And keeping our focus on the goal – the Living Water – makes all the difference in the world!

 

I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14