Cracked Pavement
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
As I took a nice brisk walk this morning, I noticed the cracks in the driveway and also in the street. Now, I know that PA is notoriously slow to fix roads but it jarred my mind to head in a different direction from poor road maintenance.
Our lives are full of these cracks and crevices that spider web out. Was the initial infraction some kind of wrong doing on our part? The Creator of the universe certainly did not cut corners in making us. How many bad roads have you traveled year after year where they just patch it and call it good? We sigh and make a mental bet that four months from that day it will be worse than before.
We can cover the cracks, smooth them out, make them disappear and feel that all is well. But the truth is this: The damaging and ever-expanding cracks are still under all that nasty-smelling stuff.
Sometimes it is just necessary to dig it all up and start again. Expensive? Yes, but so much better.
In our journey through this world, that excavation can be very painful. A quick fix is what the world would rather suggest. However, we are not the world! Letting God dig up the roots and tear up the old sinful stuff is something we might want to do every day so we don’t have to shut down or detour for major reconstruction.
When a tiny white lie is shared, or a flirtatious wink, or not returning money that the cashier gave you by accident, the little cracks begin. You think, ‘no big deal’ but all messes start out little. No one saw you do it? That is great! You know what you did and so does your heavenly Father! You can pretend and rationalize until the cows come home. It’s not going to change the fact that you have sinned.
After years and years of these kinds of behaviors, you become unable to maneuver on your man-made road. The holes are too big and too deep. The enemy has such a wonderful time making you feel horrible about yourself. You may have even kept your faith somewhat alive but can’t seem to feel His Presence.
Stop! You will never go so far that He cannot find you. Come home and allow him to do some digging. Thankfully, the ride is much smoother on His road.
Father God, thank You for caring for us. You are a forgiving God and we run off the road sometimes, but Your hand is always extended to help us find our way back. We gratefully thank You. AMEN.