When I consider the pieces that make up my life I am astounded. You never would have thought that piece could fit but it did and perfectly so. Our lives are so complex, we control so many of the moves yet God says all our days are written in his book. Psalm 139.
How can this be? I think what makes it work is Romans 8:28 all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.
This is only just the tip, and the beginning of understanding the ways of a complex yet simple God and his ways.
Last year I added some pieces that were very hard indeed, I thought they would spoil the overall picture for sure but now I can see how the shadow section highlights the brightness around it.
It's a big puzzle and it's going to take a lifetime to complete. Some of it is a real hard slog and some of it is thrilling to watch slot into place.
What the picture will reveal in the end is more of God than me, a tribute to His grace, strength, power and love that saw me through my life to the end.
Life is a simultaneous inward and outward journey with two individual destinations… deeper and further.
The journeys should both take us along the same path if we are being true to ourselves and our beliefs, morals and standards.
We are all learning on the inward and outward journey and it is up to us how we will travel, how fast, how smoothly, how cleverly.
It will also depend on how our attitude is towards the obstacles we may encounter along the way and if we will choose to learn from the fellow sojourners along the way.
We may not have the map for every detail and we may not have all we need for the whole trip with us but no one can travel with EVERYTHING they need. You wouldnt get very far at all, maybe only an inch at a time to be able to balance all those requirements in your backpack and arms.
There's a few essential items... We need wisdom to help us make the correct choices, perhaps some binoculars for vision and clarity, a gps to see where we are on the map and the surrounding area, a blanket for keeping us warm and sheltered, a coat to protect us from the elements, some light to light the way... these elements all represent something practical in our worlds, and they may be different for each of us.
Travel lightly, travel swiftly, dont allow yourself to get stuck in a ditch, or waylaid by too many distractions but be sure to make some time to stop and smell the roses along the way!
If we are training for something or on a mission to achieve a goal, even if we are trying to get fit, it’s a great idea to have a walking buddy. It’s the same in life. It’s great to have a walking buddy!
There is a friend of mine that we used to walk together a lot. She was fitter than me and whenever I walked with her it would encourage me to keep pace with her. She is a strong walker and her normal pace is faster than mine so it helped me to go that little bit further and faster than I would by myself.
It’s the perfect example of why walking your life journey with someone is so good. It doesn’t have to be a husband or wife, just a great friend will do, someone who is on your wavelength, someone who will push you that little bit, increase your comfort zone, someone who sees things like you do, maybe someone who knows more than you in different areas so that you can both contribute something to each other’s lives.
Have you got a walking buddy for life? If so great – walk on purpose, perhaps talk to them about the journey you are taking together. If not I pray you will find someone who you can do that with!
It doesn’t even have to be a person who is actually close to you in distance. I have made friends with people in other countries and I know we would consider each other walking buddies too.
There is no limitation to it being someone around the corner from you although that is great but if not look further afield! Seek and you will find!
