With You Always

I was driving along a few weeks ago. It was late in the day and the sun had begun to sink towards the horizon. As I rounded the corner, the sun glinted off the windshield making it momentarily difficult to see the road right in front of me. I could still make out the road further down, but the road immediately in front of me was impossible to see. I slowed down ever so slightly, keeping my eyes on the road that I could see and not being paralyzed by the temporary splash of sun that caused part of the road to be invisible.

As I kept driving along, I noticed that sometimes the situation was reversed. I could see the road directly in front of me, but I couldn’t make it out much further out. I think this is more common in the winter months – the sun has more of a glare to it.

When this happens, I have to remember to just focus on what I can see, to be cautious and alert, and not to worry. God has this. As surely as He directs my steps, opportunities, and choices, He also directs the wheels on my vehicle!

Things such as this are interesting for me to ponder and think about. How similar is this analogy to faith? Knowing what you see to be true, and then trusting God for what you can’t see?

I find I can apply this in so many areas of my life! In my work, my home and my opportunities.

Sometimes I can see the next step that I need to take and I take it. This is like when the glare in the distance is so strong that you don’t know if you’ll be able to see once you get there. But that isn’t any cause for worry or concern here and now. Just take the first step, drive the mile in front of you, don’t worry so much about what you can’t see ahead. God’s got this.

Other times, when I don’t know just what to do next, but I can see the destination of where I am headed, it again reminds me of the glare on the windshield. The glare that causes the road immediately in front of you to be difficult to make out. You can see a little farther down the road though, so you use the vision of what’s ahead to guide you through what you temporarily can’t see.

This analogy has helped me so much lately. Sometimes life seems to go by like a well-oiled machine. Progress is predictable, direction is straightforward, and the goal is obvious. But then at other times, unknowns can seem to be the only thing you know! These are the times when faith, patience, and trust have the best opportunity to be cultivated. These are the times to rejoice because your relationship with God has remarkable opportunity to grow! These, like the other seemingly easier times, are some of the best days of our lives!

Rest assured, that no matter where you are in life, whether things are obvious, puzzling, or even completely unknown, God has this. He has an exciting plan and He will direct you if you will seek Him!

Next time you are driving down the road and the sun glares across your windshield, think of God. Ask Him what His plans for you are. Ask Him to strengthen your faith in Him. Thank Him for wonderful reminders of His presence!

Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Do you have a story you would like to share? A simple, yet powerful, reminder of ways that God has captured your attention? I’d love it if you would email me or share it below!

Until Next Time!

Hope.

PS. I always love to look for God in seemingly ordinary things – be sure to read this post about a shop that opened temporarily and made an unbelievable impact: https://www.theamericanlady.com/2017/09/20/the-neighborhood-market/