OPEN PATHS

“When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead-end— Because I am God, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:3 (The Message Bible)

This Dead-End sign is posted in the corner of my yard. I go for walks almost every day and never notice it. But this week the sign jumped out at me and hit me like a ton of bricks! It was all I could see. Dead End. Why haven’t I ever taken note of this sign in my yard before, I wondered?  

Sometimes in our lives we feel like we are approaching or are already in a dead end with nowhere to turn. Sometimes we keep walking to see what’s ahead. Sometimes we turn around and go the other way into open ended paths. Sometimes it takes a while to realize that we are in a dead-end, whether it’s a relationship, a job, a situation, or a conflict. But then it hits us, and with lots of prayer, we have a decision to make. Walk ahead or turn around on a different path.

The Israelites in Isaiah were in a dead-end situation and full of fear. God recognized that awful feeling of being between and a rock and a hard place. It’s uncomfortable. But God gave the Israelites hope with a promise that no matter where they walk, God will walk with them.

God gives us hope and a promise in Jesus, too. Even when you’re in that hard place, it’s not a dead-end, because God opens doors that lead to new opportunities. Sometimes you just have to turn around. Sometimes you have to walk right through it and keep going. God is always with you showing you the way. If it feels like you are in a dead-end, hear the good news. Our Savior leads us down new paths and walks with us in the dead-ends and through the open doors.

With open hearts, Pastor Andrea