Left or Right?
Left or Right? by Tiffany Ward
Learning to Walk in the Way God Sets Before Us
“I think my teacher will have a boy!” Said my daughter with a sweet little smile. I peeked into the rearview mirror a moment longer than I should while driving, just to take in her heart-shaped face and sparkly blue eyes.“Uhhh, that’s not what you said yesterday”. Said my son casually lounging in the passenger seat beside me as he pulled the lever to recline the seat back. Sister frowns, and said, “I changed my mind!” I piped up, “And you are allowed to change your mind!” We turned on our usual street, the 4Runner bouncing along as we approached our normal path. But then, the road was blocked. I stared blankly ahead and I noticed no explanation was given as to why it was blocked. I said out loud, “Hmmm should we go right or left?” Already knowing in my own mind which direction I felt compelled to turn. Brother speaks up, “left!” Sister says, “I can’t decide, I need more time to think.”
We made is safely to school, despite our necessary detour. There seems to be so many unexpected changes in life. Like my son, I will often make a quick decision to work around the blocks, other times I am more like my daughter and I need more time to think about which way could produce the desired outcome. My son tends to be ok with trying things out and seeing how things turn out, whereas my daughter wants to be certain before she makes a decision. There is wisdom in both taking action and also sometimes not. How does one have the confidence to know which is going to get you where you are trying to go? I mean sometimes you make a wrong turn and then you have to turn around and go back the way you came. Sometimes, you make a wrong turn and you discover something new that you didn’t know you wanted to find.
For me, when I face changes, challenges, road blocks, or unwanted circumstances I am quick to look for a work around. I don’t want to stay in the tension. I don’t like to feel pain or discomfort. I like to keep my eyes focused on the positive and what I can do. Matter of fact, when something hard is in my path, I try to see it as more exciting and get energy from it. Carefree and fun! Good music and good times! Who needs rules when you can have guidelines! I mean, my gray 4Runner has 4 wheel drive, I love to go off road! Yet, sometimes, there are moments that happen that leave me feeling quite powerless to do anything at all let alone taking a positive approach. If I think too long about it, I get stuck in overthinking and then I feel trapped in a pit of my own mind. I have decided that these negative times are a chance for the adversity I am facing to either be a wall or a window.
I have been reading from my Bible daily since I became a Christian. If you are new to the Bible, it is a collection of many books. I also pray throughout my day since this is a way to connect with God that is very intimate and grounding for my soul and calming to my mind, steadying my feelings that tend to run all over the place.
Usually, I talk to God about things I read in his word. I also like to read devotionals, commentaries, and listen to pastors or speakers to hear what God is teaching them in his word and in their own lives. I have learned a lot from listening to others. Watching them and observing their approach to life. And I love people watching. For me, I have learned it is important to read the Bible in the full context. Understanding the times and the people that were being spoken to is very helpful to understanding the text more fully. Reading and comprehending are two different things. I often have to pray for discernment and understanding to ascertain what I am reading and how it might apply to me. It is also appropriate to personalize what we are reading so we can understand how this applies to our own life. I have read in Timothy that all scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching and building up the body of Christ. The body of Christ is anyone who is a follower of Christ and have accepted the Gospel in full for themselves. The Gospel represents the work and sacrifice God has done for us through Jesus Christ to have new life. Bottom line it is personal, because God wants a personal relationship with YOU! So, surrender all, including your full self—this includes, your mind, your feelings, your physical body, and your actions.
I was going through a particularly hard time and some really wonderful ladies gathered around me, laid hands on me, and prayed for me. I felt the warmth of their touch upon me, the kindness of their spoken voices. I felt wonderfully cared for and it was healing. Following this interaction I had a much needed conversation with one of these friends who encouraged me to look In the book of Isaiah. In particular Isaiah 30:20-21 which says, And though the Lord gives you The bread of adversity and the water of affliction, Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. In my season of painful, shifting circumstances, God’s intention for them—not as a punishment, but as a way to draw my attention back to HIM as my Teacher. Even though there has been “bread of adversity” and “water of affliction” God is still guiding me. The promise here isn’t the absence of hardship, but that in the hardship our eyes can be re-focused on HIM and our ears tuned to HIS voice: ‘This is the way, walk in it.’ He does provide teachers for our path, and he gives us a practical way to connect with Him. Through a spoken or written prayer, we can pour out our heart with all of its troubles, and we can also praise God for them. He allows these things in our life to shape us, develop us, and build us into who we are now, and who we are becoming.
Psalm 103 is a great scripture to read and know because it shifts our focus from the circumstances to praise and remembering God’s character and that we have all we need in Him. Our souls need this reminder. Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
When adversity threatens to consume us, praise lifts our eyes. Our inmost being is reminded of who He is. The God who forgives, heals, redeems, and crowns us with steadfast love. Even more, looking into verse 7, The God who guided His people through wilderness and waters still guides us today. Just as Israel was taught to trust Him in barren places, we too are called to see our adversity as a reminder to look for His direction.
Reflect:
What do you do when you face adversity or affliction?
Do you eat the bread, and move through the waters with joy or do you wallow and despair?
Practical application:
Try a Treasured Halt
H—Hold onto the Truth God offers us. Stop, pausing, and notice what’s happening, in you, and around you. Create space. See and name what you are experiencing. Your words matter. Your thoughts matter. Your voice matters. Your actions matter.
A—Ask God into this space. Praying and being intimate with the Holy Spirit, aligning your heart to his ways, asking for wisdom, understanding, discernment, and guidance.
L—Listen to His voice. Read His Holy Word and see what it says. How does it apply to you? How might God want you to respond? Could you look to Him to teach you?
T—Take Steps forward moving at His pace, not your own. Moving along a path of peace, joy, and abundant life.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank you for helping us create space between our roadblocks and our decisions. You give us the ability to take a HALT. Holding fast to your truth and not our own. Asking you into our adversity. Listening to you and aligning with your way so we can take steps forward on a path of peace. We need your help every moment of our days here and now. We thank you for being a father who loves us unconditionally and graciously gives us choices. We fix our gaze on you. The ultimate teacher and friend whose voice gives us clarity and peace. In Jesus Name. Amen.
— Be Treasured