Excerpt from “A Cup of Encouragement” 2007
As I was driving through the Village of Palmyra one day, I began thinking about the new construction that was going on. Apparently, the old bridge that crossed the Rivanna River had become weak and a new bridge was being built. Off in the distance, away from the main road, the work had begun on the new bridge. It was hard to imagine that the road could even connect to that bridge; it seemed so far off the path. I had always used the bridge that I was driving on now and thinking about a change was difficult. Even though I knew in my head that a new bridge would be better, I was comfortable on my same old bridge.
After many months of construction, the new bridge was complete. The connecting road was made and the path to the old bridge was blocked off. It was uncomfortable to make the turn onto the new road, since I had driven the old path so many times, but after weeks of practice, the new became comfortable.
The old road was destroyed and broken up, grass began to grow in its place, and it was sometimes difficult to imagine that it was even there. There were remnants that gave it away though, and every once in a while, the old memories of driving on that bridge enter my mind. Though the new bridge is in a different place, it still leads me to the same destination. Though the old way had become weak and no longer worked to get me where I needed to go, a new way was made for me so that I am still able to continue on. I am thankful now for that new way.
God has a plan, a direction for our lives. He will make a way for us. If the old way, the way we are used to becomes weak and not longer works, He will make a new way. Often, we don’t want to let go of our old ways since they are comfortable. It can be hard to let go of something that has been in our lives for a long time. But God knows when the old is no longer working and He begins in advance to prepare the new way for us. Once the connecting road has been made, it is up to us to change our direction.
There will always be memories of the old way, even after the grass has begun to grow, but we should be thankful for the One who loves us and creates a way that gets us to our destination. We must determine which is more important, the path we travel or the destination. Let the Lord lead you in the new paths of your life. Don’t cling to the old, but embrace the new. He will bring you back to the plan, the direction He has for your life.
“For He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.”
Proverbs 2:8-9
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
Psalm 32:8