Have you ever gone down a road or path and suddenly there is a turn in it that you can’t see around? I’ve always been fascinated with the reaction that we have when we come to either a curve we can’t see beyond or a fork in the road where a decision has to be made as to which direction to go.
I believe there are basically two types of reactions to the unknown. The first reaction to the fork in the road or the bend in the path is the excitement of the possibilities of what may be just around the corner. There is a feeling of anticipation that something wonderful is waiting just out of sight. The understanding that a reward is about to be received for making the trek and coming this far without turning back.
The second reaction is a feeling of dread, the fear of the unknown. We experience anxiousness as our minds come up with different scenarios as to what lies ahead – always assuming it will be bad or harmful or unsuccessful. We feel alone in facing whatever dragon may be headed our way. We can feel left to fend for ourselves, wondering if we’ll even survive.
The interesting fact is that we all react both ways throughout our lives, depending on the circumstance. There are times that we greet the curve as a welcome gift. An opportunity to experience joy and wonder at what lies ahead. We make an assumption that whatever it is, it will be good. And often, that is exactly what we find.
This optimistic view of what lies ahead comes from knowing you have an anchor. A stronghold to keep you grounded; the knowledge that you are not alone so you don’t have to experience the unknown alone. There is a confidence that comes from that. For me, it’s the confidence in knowing that God has my back, and he’s already been down any path I could ever imagine. I am secure in knowing that whatever is lurking around the corner won’t be able to knock me completely off the path.
Please don’t misunderstand and assume that my entire life is nothing but dancing through flower fields with nary a care in the world. Life has, at times, been very hard. I’ve experienced pain and fear that caused me to question if God was really watching and cared about me at all. There have been times that I’ve dreaded not being able to see clearly what’s ahead. I’ve felt like the deck has been stacked against me and I just can’t take one more thing to go wrong.
But thankfully, God has shown his true nature to me. He has provided love and peace and a feeling of security that I’m cared for, no matter what the world or people or social media may say. He’s given me the ability to handle more than I ever thought possible. He’s forgiven my bad choices and replaced my fear of the unknown with a sense of adventure, knowing that He and I are on this road together. If something jumps out at me along the way, I will be caught in his arms. He’ll pick me up and dust me off and encourage me to keep moving ahead.
At the very beginning of this journey, I told you that the story of life is an adventure! I hope and pray everyday that everyone that visits and spends time with me will experience the same thrill of daily anticipation for the day ahead! Let’s lock arms and head around that curve in the road together – you, me and Jesus!!
But God doesn’t call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn’t come through.
– Francis Chan
