Straight Paths

Sorry for the delay.  I thought this was posted on Sunday, but there was a technical difficulty on my end.  Rather fitting since it’s on patience. . .

I was part of the road crew during my first mission trip to Juarez, Mexico. Okay, so I’m a little weird and love to mix cement, but this project was nothing of the sort. Our job was to make the dry, arid dessert a little less bumpy on a half mile stretch of land. Nothing was marked out, just the simple instructions, “make this area–about from here or so–straight to down there yonder.” We slung our pick-axes trying to break up the hard soil, only to chuck it a few yards away.

My other friends got to build a huge hole for the septic tank. They finished in a day, then had other projects that were completed just as quickly. I saw the flowers they planted and the foundation they laid for the building. Yet all we could show was some dirt. To say I was disheartened would be an understatement. I grew tired and irritable, longing to see a tangible accomplishment.

That finally came the last day of our trip. As our van drove into the complex, I realized we were no longer ducking for fear of bumping our heads. The “road” was smooth, as was the drive. But what is more, I got a glimpse at the orphanage’s plans. Our road was going to be lined with tall palm trees, paving the way straight to the place where deserted children would find love, food, clothes and perhaps even God. I could just imagine kids coming down that street with wide-eyed-amazement, sighing breaths of relief while thinking, “I’m home.” I no longer viewed my week’s work as meaningless, but saw an incredible purpose for it. My impatience turned to pride.

Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It cuts to the core. For four days, I made a straight path. Granted the work was hard and tiring, but I devoted less than a week of my life to that project. Yet, I grew impatient. I do the same with God. I see the dirt of my life flying around. The pick-axe is painful as it grinds at my selfish ambitions and desires. Just make my path straight already. But this passage offers a core reason for my impatience. Trust. “Trust in the Lord . . . and lean not on your own understanding . . . and he will make your paths straight.”

A few years back I had to make an incredible decision, one that would undoubtedly alter the course of my life and even the paths of those I most dearly loved. The choice was so large I knew I couldn’t make it in my own right. I constantly cried out to God, asking for guidance and direction. His answer? Wait. I don’t do waiting, especially when it involves something of this magnitude. I’m driven and focused, yet didn’t know which way to turn during that long, one year season. I needed an answer. NOW. I tried to trust God, but my own understanding was a hindrance. Impatience prevailed. Once God moved me to trust Him and lean not on my own understanding, things changed. No, I didn’t receive an answer anytime soon. What I got was a straight path.

God, teach me to trust in you with ALL my heart and to lean not on my own understanding. Help me acknowledge you in all my ways. Thank you for making my paths straight.