We all have experienced rough roads, whether it is driving a road that is not well maintained, driving a dirt road, or hiking. It may not seem so bad at first but after a while it gets rather tiring.
A couple of days ago our family went for a hike. I had not intended on going far. When we got to the location that we were headed to I asked my son, “Isn’t that the top of the mountain?” He said, “Yes.” I was thinking, “That isn’t that far and when we get to the top there is a road we can hike on and that will be so easy.” So we went to the top.
It was great once we got to the top. We were now on the road and although it would be a long hike back home, it would be easy because we were on a mountain road. It would have been except for one small detail. There was family that wanted to take a “shortcut”. Now it may have been a short cut but it was rough going. We were going down the mountain strewn with layers of pine needles that were slippery, through bushes, over logs, and across streams of water. Not what I call very pleasant. I have to say, though, that when we broke through and we could look into the valley it was beautiful. If we had taken the easy road we would have missed the beauty. It may have been easier but the outcome would not have been the same.
It made me think of the Christian walk. There is the easy road that would be a lot easier to travel. This road is really no different from the world. The only real difference is that we claim to be Christians and we go to church. We give a false appearance. The road is easy, there is no resistance or any significant bumps in the road. We are going a long with the mainstream. It is really easy because we don’t really need to make any changes in our lives. We just show up to church once a week and we’re great. We think that this easy road is leading us Home but sad to say, when we get to the end the Beauty is not going to be there.
If we choose to surrender our all to God, the road is going to be rough. We are not going to be following mainstream Christianity. We are not going to fit in. We are going to be stumbling over rocks and boulders that the devil puts in our pathway. The path is going to be strewn with “pine needles”, with the intention to cause us to fall, which at times we do. But we keep getting up and continuing the journey Home. The journey is rough and tiring but when we break through and we see the beauty of what God has planned for us, it will be worth it all.
How can we stay on this rough journey and stay away from the easy road?
- Spend time with God each day. Your time with God is so important. Don’t allow any thing to distracted you from it.
- Spend much time in prayer. Ask God to stay close to you and keep you from slipping on the rough road.
- Memorize scripture. Being able to claim promises during times of hardships and temptations is so necessary to overcome.
- Surrender your life, each day, to God. You need to surrender your life each day to God. Even throughout the day, you will need to keep surrendering to God each time there is a rough place in the road. When you are tempted to take the easy road out claim His promises.
- Be grateful. When you are grateful no matter what comes to you, it makes the road seem less bumpy.
Dear Father,
Thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You that when the road is rough, You are there to help us, if we just reach out our hand to You. Give us courage to keep on the journey.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
No matter how rough the road, don’t give up. Stay surrendered to the One that gave all for you.
Love you all.
We all have experienced rough roads. What have you experienced and how has the Lord seen you through? I would love to hear your story.