Adjusting the heavy brown pack, he took one last look around his home and with a heavy heart, quietly shut the door behind him. Standing on the door step his feet seemed frozen. Unable....or unwilling to move. "How can I possibly go through with this?" he thought. Terror gripped at his chest. "I have no clue where I'm going!" And he truly didn't! Clutched in his hand was a piece of paper, his only compass of direction on which way to go. His stomach ached as he thought of leaving stability, comfort and routine behind. He had his instructions, he had no choice, they must be obeyed and followed. After a deep breath, and another backpack adjustment, he took his first step off the stoop and into blind obedience.
Consulting the paper in his hand, a hand drawn map, he easily found the path that would lead him on his journey. Pausing just long enough to tuck the map into his chest pocket, he looked down the path as far as his eyes could reach. Someone cared about this little road. Shaded and tree lined, the path had seemed well taken care of. The dirt was freshly grated and smooth and the walkway was free from any low lying branches. Butterflies fluttered amongst the wildflowers and birds swooped happily from tree to tree. "It seems pleasant enough." he thought and with that he put his foot on the walkway and on faith, his quest began.
How long this would take, he had no clue. The food he was instructed to pack gave no indication how long he would be gone. He noticed the map had at least 13 areas stamped with a monogram stamp. He had read in the orders that these places would be marked with a matching monogram and it was here that he would receive food, rest and extra supplies to carry him to the next stopping point.
The first days travel seemed easy enough. The weather was cool and the sun was bright in the cloudless blue sky. At various points he found signs of encouragement, promise and love nailed to the trees which stood along the path. This warmed him and he smiled to himself. From the lush, full branches of the trees towering above him, the birds sang beautiful choruses that soothed his homesick heart. As the sun slowly began to set, he noticed the trees along the pathway slowly begin to thin and an opening appeared ahead. A cottage sat nestled in the clearing. He checked the sign hanging beside the door to see if it matched the monogram on his map. It did. His first stopping point. He paused for a moment to put down his pack, he arched his back to stretch and quickly ran his fingers through his hair. He cleared his throat and knocked.
Waiting for the door to open, he had to chuckle at himself ...as if he needed to have his throat cleared to knock! The door soon opened, but there was no one there to greet him. With hesitation, he grabbed his pack, and slowly walked over the doors threshold. Immediately in front of him, through the dark gloom, he could see a table full of food. He looked around, waited a bit, and then decided it must be meant for him.....this was an appointed stop. He sat down and ate the food that was laid out for him. There was plenty, so following the orders on the map, he took the extra and packed it away in his pack. Full, he took the dishes to the kitchen and explored the little cottage. A room was fixed up for him. The covers were pulled back to a twin sized bed and its comfort beckoned him. He kicked off his hiking boots and exhausted he fell into bed. Sleep came quickly and he didn't move a muscle until the sun broke through the small window in the room announcing the arrival of morning.
He continued on his journey. Looking back as he walked, the cottage became smaller and smaller and eventually shrank out of sight. The path continued to be well manicured and groomed but he noticed, as his journey wore on, there seemed to be strategically placed rocks, twigs and branches in his way. With a watchful eye, he was able to avoid these obstacles but the extra vigilance fatigued him greatly. Weary, he stopped at the next rest area marked on the map. Same monogram, same small cottage and same greeting....by no one. The same pattern and the same scenario day in....day out. Travel and stop....travel and stop. More obstacles were laid before him.....sharp, stabbing thorns and long tangles of vines. He was so tired!
The next cottage on his course marked with the monogram, to his surprise, had an occupant and he was given a warm heartfelt welcome. Awaiting him was a roaring fire and a table laden with a delicious feast. The food was so satisfying and the company so refreshing, it pained him to have to leave!! The next cottage, however, was found to be quite the opposite. To his dismay, he found a meager amount of food at the table, the bed linens were dirty and worse of all......the occupants. They were there....they just wanted nothing to do with this weary traveler. He was heartbroken and disheartened.
The weather was getting colder. His muscles ached, his feet were blistered, his spirit battered. It had begun to rain and the sharp, nettles of rain stung his face and eyes. A light glowed in the distance and with heavy feet he stumbled towards the beacon. The last cottage on his map lay ahead. Tripping over his own tired feet, he fell with a loud thud against the front door of the cheery, brightly light home. Instantly, it seemed, the door opened as if he were expected and a furry of hands pulled the feeble stranger in to safety. Blurred figures stood over the weary traveler and immediately work was done. Warming, nursing wounds and ministering. The feast waiting for him left him full and satisfied. The fire was warm and inviting and the smiles and conversation of his hosts were as soothing and comforting as the fluffy, down bed that he slept in. At long last, the obedient weary traveler knew he had finished his quest. He had found a his place of rest and comfort. A place where the food was plentiful, the fires warm and the fellowship sweet.
What path are you traveling today? Our path, depicted in this story, was finding a new church home. Our search seemed long and unending. In our pathway, Satan laid traps for us using rocks, twigs and branches of "discouragement", "doubt" and "fear". The only way to overcome these traps were to closely follow our map. Following our map (God's word) and our instructions learned through prayer, we faithfully followed the path the Lord prepared for us. This journey was mentally exhausting and tough but through this experience, we learned that the Lord Jesus is ever present, He cares and loves us beyond measure and through Him all things are possible. Psalm 32:8 says, " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Trust in Jesus....He will direct your path!
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