It seems we all have a story to tell about getting lost, whether it was as a child or as an adult!  For most of us, the situation made deep impressions that have stayed with us for years!

When the severe storms hit the east coast and central Virginia this summer, our daughter tried to get home with her three youngest children.  It was very late, becoming pitch black as power lines were being torn down under the weight of uprooted trees, and every street she turned down seemed to have a tree blown across it with the hurricane-force winds. The more streets she tried to navigate, the more panicked she became, while her husband talked to her on her cell, trying to calm her.  As he kept asking her location, in her fright all she could say was that she was lost.  In reality, had she continued to drive, she would have eventually come across a known street and been okay.  Our city is not that large.

This past week my husband and I drove to Baltimore, Md.  We had a choice to either drive northeast on Interstates around or through Washington, D.C., or else go in a large loop west, then head north, coming south into Baltimore from the northwest side–but at least we would avoid the D.C. traffic!  Going up was no problem, but as we started the trip home, soon the maze of interstates and freeways became more than slightly confusing as our GPS died on us, and nowhere that we stopped was there a road map left to buy!  We traveled south–we thought on Rt. 29–for more than two hours before we realized we actually were lost!  The traffic was bumper to bumper, moving slowly, and we saw no road signs indicating a known route!  About the same time I saw “Delaware Ave.”, then “Indiana Ave.”, and as light bulbs started going off, I realized “Pennsylvania Ave.” was coming at us!  Sure enough, we were in the middle of Washington, D.C., in late afternoon traffic, with no clue how to get out! Several streets later a cop was sitting by the side of the street.   We pulled next to the vehicle, I rolled my window down, and explained, “We’re lost, we have no map, and our GPS  has died! Please! Point us South!”  The kind officer did better than that: gesturing for us to follow right behind, they led us several miles where we junctioned with a route to take us home!  The instant the police car got in front and started to lead us I felt such huge relief, knowing someone who knew the road system was now in control, and they would work the problem out!

It did not take long to realize that is how our relationship with Christ should be every moment.  We don’t have to wait for a situation where we lose control: we can bring Him every burden, every concern, every tear, and every moment, turning it over to Him to guide us safely through a day or a crisis. Why would we continue to carry those stressful feelings on our shoulders when He is so ready to show us the way? Pride?  He tells us to “Come, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest!  Take My yoke upon you..”   Commit your way today, and see if He does not prove worthy of your trust!

Father, help us to be so trusting of You that we don’t hesitate to give You our day, knowing You will lead us safely through, as You  take us by ‘cool waters’ and ‘green pastures!’  Increase our faith, Lord!  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen