Embracing the Winding Way Forward

The world seems a bit crazy as of late. Maybe the correct term is heavy. The world seems a bit heavy as of late. Have you felt it? There really is no need for me to list all of the things going on. In fact, you probably thought of a few things yourself as you read that last sentence. We can’t deny it and we can’t ignore it. But there are a few things we can do that will help us not just survive but thrive – even in the difficult times of life.

A few weeks ago, Colten and I visited Magnolia Market on a quick birthday trip. If you know me at all, you know that the season of Fall is my favorite of all. I can’t even wait for actual Fall to arrive, I just start celebrating in August! On that trip to Magnolia Market, Fall had arrived. There was a saying on the wall that said, “Embracing the Winding Way Forward.” You already know I was on that photo op for the fall ambience! But I’ve been thinking about that quote over the last several weeks. How do we embrace the winding way forward? As Christians, that should look different than the world. While they see chaos with no hope, we see chaos with immense hope! And that is what allows us to embrace the winding way forward. But since I’ve already got you here 😉 , I’m going to share a few more things. I pray this brings a little encouragement to your heart during these trying times.

The world sees chaos with no hope, but we see chaos with immense hope!

1. Immerse your heart & mind in Scripture. We draw strength from the words in Scripture. It brings comfort. It helps us center our minds on Truth. I’ve learned that as I draw near to Jesus through His Word and keep Scripture on the forefront of my mind, other things (like fear, anxiety, worry, & stress) seem to grow dim. This one cannot be neglected. Saturate your heart with promises in Scripture – today!

2. Keep on keeping on. Scripture puts it much more eloquently. 😆⬇️ “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians‬ ‭6:9‬) There is absolutely so much going on in this world that isn’t good. But guess what? There is still a lot going on that is really, really good too. God is working and He wants to work through us! Not long ago, someone I respect & admire shared a quote by CS Lewis and it describes this perfectly. He wrote this as a reminder back then but it serves as a great reminder today as well. It’s lengthy (and this is only part of it) but it’s good!

“In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. ‘How are we to live in an atomic age?’ I am tempted to reply: ‘Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat at night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.

If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.

It is our business to live by our own law not by fears: to follow, in private or in public life, the law of love and temperance even when they seem to be suicidal, and not the law of competition and grab, even when they seem to be necessary to our own survival. For it is part of our spiritual law never to put survival first: not even the survival of our species. We must resolutely train ourselves to feel that the survival of Man on this Earth, much more of our own nation or culture or class, is not worth having unless it can be had by honorable and merciful means.

Nothing is more likely to destroy a species or a nation than a determination to survive at all costs. Those who care for something else more than civilization are the only people by whom civilization is at all likely to be preserved. Those who want Heaven most have served Earth best. Those who love man less than God do most for man.”

May we be found not growing weary but doing well! Keep on keeping on!

3. Remember that Heaven is our hope & home! Whew, what a relief! This world and all of its winding ways will not be our forever home. We have a far better hope ahead. We have a much better place to call home. So while we endure hardships here, they will not last forever. The promise of Heaven allows us to embrace the here & now because much better things await us! “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬

I pray this encourages your heart today. We can embrace the winding way forward because we have Jesus. We have hope! Immerse yourself in Scripture, keep on keeping on, and remember that Heaven is our home! Don’t lose heart, friends!