I had an interesting experience yesterday
and as I thought about it, I related it to my walk with God and came up with
some conclusions of mine. Hope you enjoy and learn something from this.
It was about 8pm and a friend of mine
was stranded, he requested I take him home. I had no issue with that
except for the fact that he lives in Apapa and it’s not a route I am very familiar
with. Going won’t be tough since he would be there to guide, but I knew the
coming back would be a major challenge. My final destination was the island and
I didn’t have an idea of how to link the road back. I eventually agreed to take him and figured I might
just get back on Western Avenue to link the island (That’s a longer route but
one that I sorta knew). After dropping him off, I began the return journey. The
night seemed darker than usual, car headlights were blinding my vision, and
then it seemed I didn’t even remember the Western Avenue route again… all I could
think was “how did I get here”??? I tried to phone a friend for directions but alas,
network failure!!! At this point I knew I had entered one chance!
Then it happened…I saw a road sign. It occurred
to me the road signs could guide me home and straight to the island also, instead
of doing the long route, so I followed the sign and kept going. I saw a 2nd
road sign, and then a 3rd one. I kept following the signs and before
I knew it I had climbed a familiar bridge…the rest as we say is history. I got
home safe and in quick time. I was elated, felt like I’d just achieved some
award winning feat.
As I kept thinking about the trip I realized
this is how God leads me, or at least tries to lead me (When I recognize and
follow). He gives me the signs, the pointers which are all around, but why do I
miss it so, much? Maybe because;
·
I am
not looking out for it?
·
I am
too distracted by my own feeling of inadequacy and ignorance of such a simple
road.
·
I decide
to trust in man and seek mans direction?
·
I have
a plan B, C and D?
So what turned out to be finding the
way home also became a learning experience and I would share below some things I
learnt from this, also using some
scriptures that occurred to me;
1.
God is always leading us, the signs are
always there; Isaiah 42:16
(Though you have not done that kind of thing before, its new, it’s strange for
you, its unfamiliar territory, a new Job, relationship, adventure etc).
2.
We need to pay attention, look out for
the signs; Habakkuk 2:1, Matt
26:41 says Watch and Pray . We need to pay attention, we need to be
alert, observant, like Habakkuk said I will stand to SEE what He will
say. Let’s pray for the Grace to see and
recognize the signs.
3.
The signs don’t come all at once; Isaiah 28:10. Just like the road signs, I saw
the 1st one, followed it till I saw the second and then kept going.
Sometimes the challenge is we want to see the end from the beginning, that’s for
God Isaiah
46:10. For us we follow step by step, just like Abraham did Genesis 12:1.
4.
There’s always a tendency to trust more
in man than God; 1st
Kings 13 1-24. I find this story very instructional, please read and
learn from it. Just like I was tempted to phone a friend whom I wasn’t even sure
knew the way, yes he might have helped but in this case there were clear road
signs to guide me. (I am not saying do
not get advice from or listen to man, no there’s also a place for that.) But
in some cases God has shown us the way in all clarity, He’s given the sign. Don’t
try to seek validation, or support from man. When God shows you so it
is!!! Our relationship with God is a very private affair.
5.
Gods
way always turns out perfect; Jeremiah 29:11. Following God you can never miss it. Just Trust and Obey!
It is
my prayer that this year we make Loving and Seeking God our NO 1 priority. Let
us realise it is God or nothing. Let us learn to walk with Him. Let us daily
ask Him for wisdom, that He may open our eyes that we SEE. That we recognize the
signs He has put in place and pray for the Grace to follow the signs. God is
for us this year, He loves us with an everlasting love. Let us open out lives
to Him like never before and experience Him afresh.
God Bless us All.
TyFajj