Friday, March 11, 2011

Fasten Your Seat Belt - Adventure Ahead!


I just returned from a retreat this past weekend—two nights away from home, surrounded by worship and accompanied by women. It is always good to get away, contemplate life and “get an alignment” by hearing from God’s word. The weekend was just that—I came back totally exhausted yet more sure of who I am in God’s eyes.

The weekend focused on the topic of GPS—God’s Path Spoken. We looked at Peter’s journey with Christ and asked what we can learn through their interactions. As we answer Jesus’ questions like, “What do you seek?” and “Who do you say that I AM?” And then, like Peter, respond to His commands to, “Cast out into the deep” and “Do not be afraid”, we saw how Peter’s path took him to the place God planned for him…Jesus said, “Simon, you will be called Peter”—Jesus saw who Peter would become when the Holy Spirit began to work within him.

His promise to be with Peter on his journey is also our promise.

Interestingly, Monday morning, I re-entered reality and headed off to work. Not far from home I met with a blocked road and a detour sign. The utility trucks were in the distance; the traffic lights weren’t working, and the traffic turned to follow the orange detour signs. I blindly followed, but when all I could see was brake lights, I knew I had made a mistake. I quickly calculated that if I reversed direction I could get to work (hopefully on time) by another way and decided to make a U-turn.

I was soon on my way and though it was the long way around, I felt like I had made the right decision. The route wasn’t totally unfamiliar yet I was enjoying the change of scenery along the way. I am a creature of habit and take the same route to work, day in and day out. I realized that sometimes detours are necessary to get us to our destination. And, if we can settle in to enjoy the scenery, the disruption can become an adventure.

After the weekend of hearing about following God by listening to His word, putting myself into the story and asking how I need to answer when God asks me a question, my little detour lesson is another message letting me know that even though God may take me through a detour, He has a plan. If I listen and follow, I will get where I need to go.

I don’t know about you but I have had many detours in my life—sickness, family issues, disappointment. Honestly, these have led to discouragement more often than expectation. I want to view them differently from now on. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid…cast out into the deep. The road may twist and turn but ultimately I will arrive at my destination.

I also learned that following God is meant to be an adventure--so fasten your seat belt—it’s gonna be awesome!

Looking in your rear view mirror, how has God transformed your detours into an adventure? What have you learned about God and yourself as you travel through them?

Will you travel with me,

Jeanne 



7 comments:

  1. Thanks Jeanne. Your writing is truly an inspiration to me!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're welcome!! And, I am thankful for Him who gives the inspiration.

    Hugs,

    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  3. Very true, Jeanne.

    I've traveled on a long road of a death of a child, that hurts more than all the roads before. God has blessed me with not forsaking me. I praise him for that daily.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such truth, Jeanne.

    My travels have taken me down the road of death of a child. The worst experience so far, but God has not forsaken me.

    I praise him for that.

    ReplyDelete
  5. One thing we learned at the retreat was that when Jesus told Peter to cast out into the deep, Jesus was in the boat with him. Whatever we face: the deep unknown, He says, do not be afraid because He is with us.

    Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey, Jean.

    Hugs,
    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is great, Jeanne. I envy you that weekend retreat away from everything. Wish I had such an opportunity. But we can make our own opportunities, I think.

    Anyway, Ido appreciate your observations. Very well presented.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Peg,

    Have you ever taken a personal retreat? I highly recommend it. It can be inexpensive and as little as an afternoon or a whole weekend.

    Email me if you would like ideas.

    It is well worth it,

    Jeanne

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for joining the conversation. Your comment will appear once I moderate. This helps to combat spam messages. Thanks for your understanding.
If you have trouble posting a comment, please contact me.