Switchbacks

Eyes on the Road

One of the many beautiful wonders of God’s creation are the mountains and I always remain in awe when traveling through them. Vast evergreen forests with snow capped mountains in the background, raging streams of water splashing over boulders, and occasional meadows with lush green grass waiting for wild game to venture there for grazing. It is hard to keep my eyes on the road and still absorb all these wonders. Especially when the highway has sharp curves and elevation changes known as switchbacks. A sheer rock wall on one side, a bottomless drop-off on the other. 

So, I drive…tuck it in left turn, tuck it in right turn, as the passengers start to turn green. It seems I am zooming along like a NASCAR driver until I look in the mirror and cars are staking up behind me. Need to go faster, lean left, lean right, gotta keep going, my knuckles are turning white and all of a sudden, the tension is making the back of my neck hurt. Everyone in the car now is getting weary. Someone has to go to the bathroom, someone else has a tummy ache. No place to pull over. We reach the interstate and everyone breathes a sigh of relief even though it might be rush hour traffic. At least the road is straight.

My Switchback

Have you experienced this road in your Christian life journey? I know I have. The road winds around with sharp curves, it has hazards to the right, hazards to the left, sometimes I find myself nauseated and hurting, growing weary. But when I think about it, each bend, each switchback curve, all the hazards, all my fears and pain, brought me closer to the goal God made possible. 

Joshua was on a similar road when he gives assurance in chapter 1:9 “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”He possibly learned this from Moses as he gives us the same message, “Be strong and bold; have no fear or dread of them, because it is the Lord your God who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6,8.

Jesus Will Straighten Your Path

When the road in your life seems to get treacherous and hazards surround you, place your trust in Jesus and He will guide you to the straight path. However, Jesus warns us there will be winding roads, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.” John 16:33. In Jesus there is blessing, guidance, safety, healing and satisfaction, but there will also be trials from the world surrounding us. However, we can be assured that God will extend His protective hand during these trials. Treacherous roads will come, but let Christ take the wheel, He is our navigator and we should set our fears aside and enjoy the ride.

 Dear Lord, help me place my trust in you to be my navigator through the switchbacks in my life and hold fast to the promise at the end of the road, everlasting life. Amen.

Peace, Love, and Unity

Phil Bamesberger Home

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