“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV)

A teenage girl found herself lost in a snowstorm while driving. She remembered her father’s advice: “If you ever get stuck in a snowstorm, find a snowplow and follow it.” Soon, she spotted a plow and began following closely behind. For 45 minutes, she trailed its path, relieved to have found a way forward.

Eventually, the driver stopped, walked over to her car, and asked what she was doing. She explained her father’s advice. The driver chuckled and said, “Well, I just finished clearing the Wal-Mart parking lot. Now I’m heading to K-Mart — want to keep following?”

This story serves as a reminder that simply following someone — or something — doesn’t guarantee we’re headed in the right direction.  Every day, we make choices about who or what we trust to guide us. We often rely on our own instincts, popular opinions, or the advice of others.  

If those things aren’t rooted in God’s truth, they can leave us wandering aimlessly rather than moving forward.  As Proverbs 14:12 warns, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.” (NIV)

The good news? God is an expert in redirection. Thankfully, we don’t have to rely on guesswork to find our way in life. God has given us a clear roadmap — his Word — to guide us.  When we seek him first, he will show us the right path:  And even when we take wrong turns, his grace is always there to lead us back.

If you’re feeling lost, take a moment to reflect:

* Am I following God’s guidance or just doing what feels right in the moment?
* Have I been seeking advice from sources that don’t align with God’s truth?
* What steps can I take today to tune my heart more to God’s direction?

Life’s storms can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. When you put your trust in God, he will not only lead you — he will bring you exactly where you need to be

Prayer: Father, thank you for being my guide. When I’m lost, help me to trust you rather than my own understanding. Redirect me when I go off course so that I may walk in the path you have set for me.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Alan Smith
Reprinted with permission from Alan Smith’s Thought For the Day