Navigating The Woods

I haven't posted much lately. I've been journaling and reflecting a lot. I've been thinking about whether or not what I share is too personal. I've come to the conclusion that I am a real person dealing with real things, just like the people who read the stuff I write. I've heard a few stories about people reading my blog, some of which I don't even know, and being encouraged. That's the whole point of sharing "my life" I guess you could say. I don't write about every single detail, although some posts do get a little personal. There are still many things I either keep to myself or only tell Adam. With that being said, here's something that happened to me recently:

A couple weeks ago, Adam took me out to the land he hunts on. We were returning a friend's ranger and Adam wanted to show me around. I was excited to get to ride around with him. Being on about 350 acres, he didn't even get to show me half of it. While on our tour, we went across many make-shift bridges, up some steep (scary) hills, and drove for what seemed like forever. There were so many trails and paths; there's no way I could've known how to get back to the truck. As we drove and drove, I couldn't help but question whether or not he knew where he was going. I was amazed that he knew his way around. Of course, he got us back to the truck safely.

As we were riding around, I felt helpless and completely out of control. I couldn't help but compare my ride with Adam to the ride I'm on right now in life. Without Adam, who knew where he was going the whole time, I would've been lost. The same is true of God in this season and every season of life. He knows what he's doing. He knows how to get me to where I need to be and he will make sure I arrive on time safely. While riding, I had no control. I couldn't tell Adam which way to go because I had no clue where we were. The same is true in life. Sometimes you have to just sit in the passenger seat, (try to) enjoy the ride, and trust you will get to where you need to be. Just like I questioned Adam's judgment (even if only for a second), I also question God. I ask Him, "Are you sure you know where we're going?" I may even say, "I don't think this is the right way." I was forced to trust Adam to be the driver, just like I am having to trust that God is driving me in the right direction. When I don't know which way to go, He guides my paths and makes them straight. He helps me navigate the woods of life.

My least favorite part of the tour was the scary hills we had to drive up and down. I'm just not a fan of heights and those hills weren't no joke (excuse my grammar). There are times in life that are scary. You don't know if you can make it up the hill, and once you get to the top, looking down can be just as frightening. I'm thankful that God is our refuge in times of need. When things are scary, He will cover you with His feathers and protect you under his wings (Psalm 91:4). When my heart is overwhelmed, He is my rock (Psalm 61:2) which is unshakeable.

I believe God was using my time in the woods that day to teach me more about how He is working in my life right now. I think He tries to show me things often, but my heart just isn't open to receiving them. I am trying to be more aware of His presence in my life, all day every day. I fight to make Him my focus and to not get distracted by all the chaos of life.

I enjoyed my ride with Adam that day. It was carefree and peaceful. It taught me that it's okay and sometimes beneficial to sit back and just ride. I don't always have to drive. I don't always have to be in feel like I'm in control. The Lord is going to take care of me. He has only good planned for me and those plans are immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).