Temple Baptist Life

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

Have you ever asked directions? Were you able to under stand them clearly? When you followed them, did they get you where you wanted to go? Often those who are new to an area are dependent upon others for direction. Many have stopped people on street corners and asked directions only to hear the response, “I’m new here myself!” Sometimes we are surprised when we learn that some people who have lived in a city many years, don’t know the directions to some of the city’s best known land marks or civic attractions. With surprise, sometimes we ask, “How could they live in a city and not know this place?” As frustrating as it is to find people who give us dumb looks and raised shoulders when we ask directions, it is equally frustrating when we receive directions but they are so complicated that they are hard to follow. What we ask is a simple question, but too often we get complications rather than a simple answer.

Consider the weary traveler who sought directions to a certain address by stopping a pedestrian on the street. Considering the address, the pedestrian said, “That’s on the other side of town.” When asked how to get there the pedestrian rattled off an array of alternatives. “When I leave home I take the interstate and then the 5th Street exit.” Then he scratched his head. However, when I leave work I can get there by taking the by pass road and come to it straight down the lane.” Before the traveler could say anything else he gave yet another alternative. “When I leave my mother’s house, I take the freeway. It’s a straight shot, just one turn.” The traveler interrupted and said “But how do I get there from here?” The pedestrian scratched his head, “From here? I’m sorry, but I don’t have the slightest idea!” There are many today who give life directions from their own perspective. The best directions usually come from persons who are familiar with where you are and know where you are trying to go.

There are many who are trying to find the way to a Godly life. They are reading life’s street signs, but have no idea which way to go. Many have decided to simply drive through life, hoping they will stumble upon the Godly life. Some have asked directions from those who have steered them in circles and left them confused. Some have stopped looking altogether.

As Christians, we rejoice that we have found the directions to heaven. Jesus, who has been there and lived here, has shown us the way. With Christ as our guide we know exactly how to get there from here. That’s why we follow him and take no chance of getting lost.

Sometimes we fill like we are being pulled through life and cannot follow a set of directions. We fill jerked, pulled and like we cannot keep up. We must remember God is in charge and we are to relax and let Him have control of our lives.

The dog’s name was Tattoo. A reporter wrote, “Tattoo didn’t plan on going for a run that evening, but when his owner accidentally shut the poor dog’s leash in the car door and drove away from home, Tattoo had little choice.” Now, thankfully when he started driving, a policeman saw the poor dog’s dilemma and pulled the car over. The cop had one interesting observation — he said, “That basset hound was picking up his feet and putting them down [just] as fast as he could.” Amazingly, his short legs got him up to 25 miles an hour in spite of being rolled several times!

When you think about life as a Christian, you may feel like Tattoo — like something’s got hold of your leash and you’ll never get free. You might even think that to be a “good Christian” is really just a thing of “run or get run over”.

We are not called to keep up. We are not called to strive and kick to exist or to survive. We are called to relax and leave the movement to Jesus. He is in control. If you feel living the Christian life is too hard or the burden is too heavy, then you are under the wrong yoke. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The following is a something I heard a lady in our church share several years ago. I believe living the Christian life is the greatest adventure.
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a President. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.
But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don’t know when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable…It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds, and it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to trust.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people I met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it; but He knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do anymore, He just smiles and says…”Pedal.”