|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "The Solid Rock"1
(Lyrics) |
The road from my winter home to my summer home rises from 1700 feet (518 metres) to 6400 feet (1950 metres), and it is 143 miles (230 kilometres) from the Sonoran Desert to the White Mountains of Arizona, USA. For half an hour, I travel on a four-lane highway. Then, I drive through a tunnel, emerging into Devil's Canyon — a collection of unique burnt orange rock formations called hoodoos. They tower on each side of the road, some balanced on just the tip of an edge, looking ready to topple onto the road at any moment. Soon, the driving gets more intense as I wind in between hills, dip steeply into a valley and rise again, then cross a few more bridges. Halfway through the trip, I enter the Salt River Canyon: three slow miles down to the river, winding down the side of the mountain, and three slow miles back up the other side. Soon, the driving becomes even more challenging as I travel up, down, and around the mountains; occasionally there's a straight stretch and a passing lane. Finally, I reach high country, more curves, mostly uphill, until the road levels out about ten miles before my destination.
There are two routes to reach my summer home. I prefer this one for the variety of scenery and the driving challenges, except for the delays and frustrations of getting caught behind huge trucks and recreational vehicles that can't keep up their speed on the steep hills. On my last trip, due to construction, I was stuck behind 15 vehicles, including four trucks, going through the canyon — exasperation!
As I drove this route the other day, it occurred to me that it's a great deal like life. Sometimes, life goes smoothly, like a four-lane highway. Sometimes, we feel like we're in a dark tunnel and suddenly come out of it, only to see more hazards ahead. Life throws curves at us, and obstacles get in our way. We feel like we're on a downward path, then something happens to lift us up.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)
Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)
If we have trusted in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are not alone as we travel the road of life. If we let Him, He will guide us and give us peace and joy even when there are hazards, delays, or dark tunnels. We can put our trust in Him, knowing that He knows what is best for us.
Prayer: "Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow." (Psalm 25:4 NLT) Keep me focused on You, and guide me as I travel through life. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share on Facebook
About the author:
Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Send your feedback to the author
Good words as usual from our Lord.
What a beautiful visual you captured in this writing.
Loved your story how life can throw many challenges thank you for sharing.
Many blessings.
Thank you, Sharon, I like your devotion for today.
I like it very much.
Blessings,
(Québec)
This is a beautiful expression of hope and trust. God remains faithful to his ancient promise – even in our modern times. We need this reminder over and over again as we travel down the unpredictable roads of life.
Hi Sharon, I loved traveling with you in my imagination. Each day we “travel” through smooth or bumpy moments, but thankfully, we have good shock absorbers, reliable GPS, and fuel to make it through. The Word and the Holy Spirit provide us with what is needed! Thank you for stimulating my thoughts today.
Thank you for today’s devotional, Sharon. Recently the main route from our ranch to our small town has been under construction and we have had to take a much more circuitous way to town. I was reminded of that when I read your devotional… wish I had thought your thoughts as I labored over that detour.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. It brought back cherished memories of visiting my roommate’s family on the White River Reserve in Arizona. Yes, the countryside and roadway is challenging but beautiful with its rugged terrain. Thank you again for bringing back the memories. Blessings.
Many thanks Sharon for another of your encouraging writings and a very good analogy. We need be ever thankful that we have the Lord to guide us through our road of life. He is there every moment of the day or night to receive our call for help and direction. Blessings for writing and may the Lord’s loving care guide you through each of your road trips.
Dear Sharon,
While listening to your message today I closed my eyes and pictured the journey through the mountains and valleys as you described it. I must admit that my journey in life is very much like the one that you described. I thank God that whatever the road map in front of me looks like that He is always near keeping me safe and secure as I travel through my life with His grace and mercy. Thank you, Sharon.
Would I ever love to travel that route to your summer area – sounds a bit like our drive from Ottawa to Thunder Bay, but your drive has a lot more geography that would be new and exciting for me! The many varied aggravations are much the same though. It’s amazing to me that I can know these scriptures well, but I don’t always manage to put them into practice – UNLESS I “call on the Lord” first thing in the morning!! To guide me through whatever the day brings. Bless you for your lovey ‘picture’ prayer. I love it. God bless.
Dear Ms. Cook,
I am a regular reader of Presbyterian Daily, and I always enjoy what you write. I want to tell you that I had tears in my eyes when I read your Devotional this morning. It was exactly what I needed to read, and I will treasure it, and re-read it. The reason is that I am traveling that road today. I was flash-fired from my job at 68, and I am praying to the LORD in this time of Tribulation. Maybe you can spare a prayer for me, that the LORD will guide my steps in the days ahead and help me.
Every blessing.
So true a very good one.
What a great and informative devotional! I’ve been that way, so I’m able to imagine the drive.
Thanks, dear Sharon for this blessing,
Psalm 16 is my favourite! Thanks.
(BC, Canada)
Concentrate on your blessings.