The state of some roads in our local area leaves a lot to be desired: they are full of potholes, bumpy, have been dug up countless times to repair pipes beneath them and now resemble a patchwork quilt of tarmac. They are uncomfortable to ride on and when speed humps are added into the equation can make for decidedly unpleasant journeys!
We much prefer smooth, newly tarmaced road surfaces without curves and corners (well, unless you’re Garry, who loves riding round bends, especially on the motor bike…!)
Life is rarely like the smooth, newly tarmaced road, however. It’s full of vicissitudes, those changes in circumstances which are rarely pleasant, full of ups and downs, bends and twists, uneven road surfaces:
There are so many times in life when we have no idea where we are going or what is happening. We may well feel abandoned by God, utterly alone and forsaken. We cannot see how life’s difficulties – bereavement, illness, pain, rejection, divorce, depression, miscarriage, unwanted pregnancy, rape, violence and so on- can possibly be used for good. As Mark reminded us on Sunday, though, our call is to trust in God even when we cannot see Him.
One of my all-time favourite lyrics is in Jeremy Camp’s song ‘Walk By Faith’ which says ‘this broken road prepares Your will for me.’ Written after his first wife’s death at the age of 21 from ovarian cancer, the song declares ‘I will walk by faith, even when I cannot see.’ The song asks poignant questions which all of us must face:
‘Will I believe You when You say
Your hand will guide my every way?
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day?’
It’s not easy to walk by faith on the roads with potholes and uneven road surfaces. But as Joseph demonstrates, it is possible. Even the broken roads prepare God’s will for us. Aaron Keyes reminds us that God is in sovereign control over us, working in our waiting, teaching us to trust (‘Sovereign Over Us’). God is faithful forever, perfect in love. Hold on to that on the broken roads.