“Help, Lord!” My son and I screamed at the same time as we encountered a severe dust storm within a few minutes of entering the freeway. We were terrified. There were hundreds of giant tumbleweeds flying towards us from every direction. We couldn’t see anything in front of us or to the side of us.
“Keep Us On the Road”
Intellectually, I knew the tumbleweeds could not hurt us, but emotionally, it was difficult not to swerve with each one that hit the car. We prayed. “Keep us on the road.” There was no safe option to stop or pull over since we couldn’t see anything. I realized the only way to get through the storm was to slow down and fix my eyes on the white line of the road, which was barely visible. I forced myself to stay at a steady pace and to ignore every tumbleweed that flew at us.
Eyes on Joy
Like being in the dust storm, we often feel blind in life when tumbleweeds of demands, emotions, and circumstances fly towards us from every direction. We want to stop, pull over, or give up as we focus on the tumbleweeds. But the solution is not in any of these responses. As Hebrews 12:1-3 teaches us, the answer is to “Lay aside every encumbrance, run with endurance, fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who kept His eyes on the joy set before Him.” In other words, fix our eyes on the “white line” of Jesus, even when it seems He is barely visible. Slow down and grab His hand. Fix our eyes on Him and keep moving forward.
Stay the course.
I am giving thanks this season as I fix my eyes on Him for the assurance of God’s presence especially in challenging times.
“Don’t let your circumstances be an excuse for not moving forward. Don’t let your disappointments become your idol.”
Robyn Dykstra
Personal Parables Practices
- What is one circumstance keeping you from moving forward in your faith?
- Is there a disappointment you have allowed to become an idol?
- What intentional decision will you make today to change your focus from the problem by giving it to Jesus for the solution in His time and His way?
Prayer
Oh God in heaven, God of my heart and God who lights my path, keep me from letting circumstances blur my vision of you. Thank you for providing a way when there seems to be no way. Thank you for being my refuge and stronghold. Amen.
Scripture for Meditation
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Music for Reflection
Personal Parables is the blog of Dyann Shepard. Get Dyann’s complementary study in Proverbs and prayer guide, What to Do When You Don’t Feel Good Enough. If you need encouragement to remember the truth about yourself in times of doubt and anxiety, this free 5-day study is for you. Follow Dyann and Personal Parables on Instagram and Facebook. Dyann is available for speaking, guest blogging, and article writing.
