“As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.” Psalm 18:30
I was talking with a friend today about how we try to share our experiences with people in hopes that they will avoid some of the same pitfalls that have occurred in our lives. As I was talking about this, I was reminded of a time when I was traveling with a minister to another city. I want to share this illustration with you.
This minister had traveled to this city many times before and had traveled the same roads each trip. I, on the other hand, had talked with someone else who had been to this city and was told there was a better route to take, a shorter route and with much better scenery. So, I shared this with the person. She told me she had traveled that way many times before and there was not a better way.
Although I don’t generally try to enforce my point with another minister, for some reason I persisted that day.
I assured her that my friend had traveled a lot and knew a shorter way. We were running late and I told her if we took this other route we would be on time. She did not agree with what I was saying at all, then my friend called and I had her speak to my friend who was driving and had her give directions. She then agreed to take the new route, and because of that, we arrived on time and it was a beautiful drive.
It is said that ‘insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.’ I have often found that to be true in life. We keep doing the same things we have always done, going the same way and somehow expecting things to be different. Often change is necessary to obtain different results.
Which brings me to my point; recently I have been trying to help a family member, to show her a better way. Not because I am being super religious or holy but because I have been down that road and I know by the spirit of God what I could have and should have done differently. I am giving this instruction in hope that she will have an easier way, a shorter way and with better scenery.
Often as we try to advise people, they will take offense and decide to just do it their way in the end. That’s fine. They can certainly go that route and as long as they will continue seeking God they will end up at their final destination, yet it may take longer and not be as pleasant a journey as it could have been.
The Bible says that we often go through things to help other people come through. When Kenneth Hagin was totally healed from a terminal disease, he was then empowered to walk many, many people through healing.
I am certain you know someone who has walked through a difficult time and now they are able to help others make it through. Why? Because they have traveled that road, they know the pitfalls and they know the shortcuts. They know what it will take to make it a hard journey and they know what it will take to make it a more pleasant trip.
As I was trying to help this loved one, she told me that she was going to do it her way. So, God said ‘then let go, just let it go and let her handle it her way.’ I did. I didn’t want to because I knew I could help her as I have been where she is. My heart of compassion wanted to save her the grief of doing it her way. I could show her the better way, the shortcut, the easier route, but in the end it is her choice.
You see, God has a way and His way is perfect. His way is the shortcut. His way is the pleasant way. His way is the way of responding with the word of God instead of reacting to the situation. His way never fails.
When I travel, I often ask people who I know have visited the city I am traveling to if they know of a better route to take, I ask them where the better restaurants are and get all the information I can before I leave for my trip. This valuable information enables me to have a better trip, a more enjoyable trip and to save time and money. That’s wisdom.
If you know someone who has been on the journey you are now on, observe what they do, listen to what they say and apply those truths. It will make your journey so much more pleasant. If God has brought them through, I can assure you that it cost them something, you can glean from their investment. You can avoid the pitfalls they experienced. Because they are familiar with the route, they can save you time, money and much heartache. Trust the God in them.
I am reminded of something I used to say before I became born again. I would always say this; I learn everything the hard way. One day God stopped me and ask me if that is how I wanted to continue to learn. I changed my confession. I now say, I learn everything the God way, the easy way and I observe those who have gone before me in the faith and I avoid their pitfalls and learn from their experiences.
It’s all a matter of choice, life or death in every situation, choose life. Choose God’s way.
