Barricaded and Graced with Clear Revelation......
Good Morning Girls! We are still talking about Psalm 119:25-32 in the Message Translation. We are still on the same verse 28(ish). Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation...........
Yesterday we focused on one of the roads that goes Nowhere; the road of Who, what, When, Where, and Why questions. In most cases going down that road will bring you to a dead end of confusion, frustration, and angst.
Today I want to talk about another road that goes Nowhere. These are the most frustrating ones to me. They are the ones that are not easy to detect. They often look like the road going Somewhere, but they are not. They are detours. They are distractions that take you away from the place you were meant to go.
I had two separate road to Nowhere detours last year. Both times I was faced with a choice. Literally a fork in the road. Do I go this way or that way? I prayed. I sought after the advice and counsel of close friends. I weighed out my current situation and options. Not receiving any clear word from the Lord, I started down the road I believed was leading me Somewhere.
The longer I traveled down the road, and the more time and effort I invested, the more I knew my judgment could no longer be trusted. It's kind of like being in a bad relationship. You know it is bad, but you have already spent so much time and effort with that person that it seems easier to remain in it than end it.
Looking back, I can see some of the red flags. I saw them even while on the road, but I was always able to explain it away. And the truth was, I still did not receive any clear direction from the Lord.
Deep in my heart I believe I knew something was not right....but it all seemed and felt so perfect (feelings.....no those will take you down the road to Nowhere in a hurry!). I began praying to the Lord saying "Lord, I trust you. I trust that you are guiding me and speaking to my heart. However, I no longer trust myself. I know I want this to work so badly that even if it is not right, I will not hear your still small voice. You are going to have to whack me upside the head if this is not the right road."
I prayed that prayer, or one similar to it every day. Asking the Lord to make it painfully obvious if I was on the wrong road.
God for answered that prayer! I was whacked upside the head alright. It says in Revelation 3:7 What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. I prayed that he would close the road. That he would Barricade the road going Nowhere.
The night the first road closed was one of the most painful experiences of my life. However, in the midst of the pain I was thankful and praised God. I knew that the only way I would stop going down that road was to have it end abruptly and painfully, leaving no chance of going back and no second thoughts.
Last year was a tough year for me. I got off one wrong road and started right down another! Again, it made sense. Those closest to me thought I was doing the right thing. I was encouraged to pursue this road- even though in my heart it was taking me in the opposite direction of the dreams in my heart. I just figured it was a means to an end until I could follow the desires of my heart.
Still bruised from the last door slamming shut in my face, I was determined not to go through that again. Once again I started praying the "Lord whack me upside the head" prayer. Again I found myself in a situation where unless it was painfully clear to not only me, but those around me, I would be expected to continue down this road.
God is good! Once again he answered my prayer. It was a little painful, but nothing like the last time. In fact, as I walked out to my car crying I suddenly felt this tremendous weight lifting. I prayed for my out and I got it! No one would ever say I should continue with that career pursuit. I was released from the wrong road without guilt or remorse. Praise God!!!
Girls, on those occasions when the road seems right but you are not sure, pray that the Lord would barricade that road for you. Ask him to shut it down in such a way you will never have to look back and second guess yourself. He will answer you. It may hurt a little. However, in the long run a couple days of pain is better than a lifetime on the wrong road. Ask me how I know...........
Revelation 3:7 What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open
Love, Grace, and barricaded road to Nowhere-
Jen
Yesterday we focused on one of the roads that goes Nowhere; the road of Who, what, When, Where, and Why questions. In most cases going down that road will bring you to a dead end of confusion, frustration, and angst.
Today I want to talk about another road that goes Nowhere. These are the most frustrating ones to me. They are the ones that are not easy to detect. They often look like the road going Somewhere, but they are not. They are detours. They are distractions that take you away from the place you were meant to go.
I had two separate road to Nowhere detours last year. Both times I was faced with a choice. Literally a fork in the road. Do I go this way or that way? I prayed. I sought after the advice and counsel of close friends. I weighed out my current situation and options. Not receiving any clear word from the Lord, I started down the road I believed was leading me Somewhere.
The longer I traveled down the road, and the more time and effort I invested, the more I knew my judgment could no longer be trusted. It's kind of like being in a bad relationship. You know it is bad, but you have already spent so much time and effort with that person that it seems easier to remain in it than end it.
Looking back, I can see some of the red flags. I saw them even while on the road, but I was always able to explain it away. And the truth was, I still did not receive any clear direction from the Lord.
Deep in my heart I believe I knew something was not right....but it all seemed and felt so perfect (feelings.....no those will take you down the road to Nowhere in a hurry!). I began praying to the Lord saying "Lord, I trust you. I trust that you are guiding me and speaking to my heart. However, I no longer trust myself. I know I want this to work so badly that even if it is not right, I will not hear your still small voice. You are going to have to whack me upside the head if this is not the right road."
I prayed that prayer, or one similar to it every day. Asking the Lord to make it painfully obvious if I was on the wrong road.
God for answered that prayer! I was whacked upside the head alright. It says in Revelation 3:7 What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open. I prayed that he would close the road. That he would Barricade the road going Nowhere.
The night the first road closed was one of the most painful experiences of my life. However, in the midst of the pain I was thankful and praised God. I knew that the only way I would stop going down that road was to have it end abruptly and painfully, leaving no chance of going back and no second thoughts.
Last year was a tough year for me. I got off one wrong road and started right down another! Again, it made sense. Those closest to me thought I was doing the right thing. I was encouraged to pursue this road- even though in my heart it was taking me in the opposite direction of the dreams in my heart. I just figured it was a means to an end until I could follow the desires of my heart.
Still bruised from the last door slamming shut in my face, I was determined not to go through that again. Once again I started praying the "Lord whack me upside the head" prayer. Again I found myself in a situation where unless it was painfully clear to not only me, but those around me, I would be expected to continue down this road.
God is good! Once again he answered my prayer. It was a little painful, but nothing like the last time. In fact, as I walked out to my car crying I suddenly felt this tremendous weight lifting. I prayed for my out and I got it! No one would ever say I should continue with that career pursuit. I was released from the wrong road without guilt or remorse. Praise God!!!
Girls, on those occasions when the road seems right but you are not sure, pray that the Lord would barricade that road for you. Ask him to shut it down in such a way you will never have to look back and second guess yourself. He will answer you. It may hurt a little. However, in the long run a couple days of pain is better than a lifetime on the wrong road. Ask me how I know...........
Revelation 3:7 What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open
Love, Grace, and barricaded road to Nowhere-
Jen
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