By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Expect an Adventure with God. Sounds like wild and crazy fun with unimaginable blessings until we realize the journey is often paved with trails and challenges. The path is seldom a highway. It’s twisted, filled with ruts, briars, bruises, broken rungs, and sometimes it leaves us dangling over a cliff.
We claim the road to being more like Jesus is worth the sweat and tears when what we really want is to have God lace up our tennis shoes and make sure we’re hydrated with showers of blessings.
As a novelist, I look at my hero or heroine and ask myself—what is the worst possible thing that could happen? What’s even worse? What’s even worse? That’s the point where I write my scene—because my character changes and grows during the most critical of situations. Much like God does with us. We’re told He loves us enough to reach out and save us and too much to leave us the way we are.
Without the worst possible scenario for my characters, I have no story.
Without the worst possible scenario in my life, God is not glorified, and I fail to grow spiritually.
Our adventure is a lifelong pursuit to become more like Christ. We can’t use a map because the path forward is never fully revealed, but we have our Bibles to guide us through the worst of circumstances.
Charles Swindoll says: “Adversity stirs up and causes us to look at life differently. We are forced to deal with things on a deeper level. Nothing causes “self” to cave in like suffering. And once our religious facade begins to wear thin, God moves in and begins teaching us what real Christlikeness is about.”
Here are a few road signs we find on our journey with God when we put him First.
Freely accept the adventure – Christians all over the world are being persecuted for their faith. Those believers understand Jesus is enough because they freely accepted the gift of eternal life by following Christ in faith and asking for forgiveness of sins. Many of these brave people understand saying yes to Jesus also means saying yes to death. Would we be that brave?
Faith – Faith is complete trust or confidence in God, a Being we cannot see. Faith binds us to a sovereign God who can and will supply all our needs. He is the great relationship giver, our source of security, and the only One who can offer us significance.
Forgive – Our adventure with Jesus begins by asking Him to forgive our sins. In turn, we’re to forgive others. That puts us on the right road to eternity.
Family – We’re all given families to love and keep us humble. God instructs us to be fruitful and multiply – but he didn’t promise the road would be easy.
Friendship – The gift of friendship is one of the amazing blessings of God. Treasure those who love you unconditionally. Bring them alongside your faith.
Focus – A continuous focus on God keeps our hearts in tune with Him. Daily quiet times and prayer fuel our spirits. Without it, our journey sputters and dies.
Fullness – In Greek the word for “fullness” means completion. In Him, we have all we need. It’s not just a slice of apple pie; it’s the whole pie, warm with a scoop of ice cream. And an overflowing cup of coffee.
What road signs have you found on your journey with God?
Comments 28
As always, I truly benefit from your posts, DiAnn.
With summer here and the temperatures rising in Texas, I’ve been looking forward to a trip to Colorado.
Planning began (my planning instead of waiting for His guidance). Detours and stop signs have halted me in my tracks even before packing my travel bag.
I’ve finally done what I should’ve from the beginning—consult the Lord!
My bag still isn’t packed, and that’s okay. It will be wonderful seeing how the Lord puts all the pieces into place. And in the meantime, I’ll try hard not to tap my foot on the floor with impatience. 😊
Instead, I’ll remind myself of my life verse: Proverbs 3:5-6.
Author
Terry, I’m sorry your summer plans have taken a dip, but God has a way of restoring us just when we need it most. Praying for your vacation refreshment!
Are you sure you weren’t just listening in on my phone conversation? I just finished speaking with a loved one who called with news I did not want to hear. When the phone call ended, I opened my email and there was your newsletter. God couldn’t have orchestrated this any better. Thank you for sharing the wisdom and insights God has given you.
Hi Cindy, from your email, I know the sad news. Remember, God has this, and it’s no surprise to Him. Hold on tightly with both hands. So glad I could help.
Amen
Joyce, always Amen. God’s got us in the palm of His hand.
The longer I live, the more trials I experience, and lately I’ve been thinking of the footprints in the sand–sometimes two sets where Jesus and I walk side by side, and the times there’s only one set–His and He’s carrying me.
Pat, that is a beautiful picture of our walk with Jesus. Thank you. I’m holding on to that image. Praying for you!
As I am praying for you!
Thank you, sweet friend!
Each time I read one of your posts, I am reminded of the book I wrote and packed away. Encouraged, I will get it out and read it again.
I have gathered family stories and facts. I ended with over 300 pages. I find my facts more interesting than my fiction.
Dorothy, God has put your book on your heart for a reason. Don’t give up on your dreams. Be blessed.
I have had many twists and turns in my 77 years of life. I find comfort in Romans 8:28. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” ESV And Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the LORD; and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ESV HE is in control!
Linda, I’m not far behind you, and I find the older I get, the closer my walk with Him. Thanks for sharing your verses. Yes! We must take courage to fight the good fight.
This was quite a thought provoking post, DiAnn.
Through all the multitudes of twists, turns, pain, suffering and joys of life, I have realized that Jesus is my answer to all of them. I have finally learned to respond with, I trust you God.I trust you. No matter what I decide to do with my life when I go back to Jesus is the way the truth and the life, I can walk through anything. He is my road sign. Two abbreviated Scriptures that I keep near to my heart are I Corth 15:58. “ Stand firm, let nothing move you”…and Phil 1:29 it is a privilege to worship Christ, but also a privilege to suffer for him.” These keep me grounded. There is power in the name of Jesus.
Thank you, Barbara. You have inspired me today. I think the older we get, the more the road signs are apparent. We climb mountains, struggle in valleys, learn, change, grow closer to God. And repeat. Thanks for sharing your Scriptures. Be blessed!
I had never even thought about it but looking back I can see where the road signs were and how God used them. I admit I sometimes balk at some of them but I realize that God is at work in my life.
Thanks, Barbara. I balk at a lot of the unpleasant road signs, but it’s all about growing us closer to God. Thanks for sharing.
Hi DiAnn,
On my journey as Christian, I’ve found in unexpected developments that I’ve wanted to STOP, or make a U-TURN, or PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Rather than submission to God, my self interests, doubts, and fears paved my way. God gives us the strength, grace, and joy to accomplish His mission. I wish to share what I’ve learned on my journey with God. YIELD to God’s sovereign authority. Submit to the Holy Spirit to receive divine CLEARANCE and discernment. Find joy in that there will be NO PASSING for the children of God, but an eternity where there is joy unspeakable.
Dawn, Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Every word fit into our path to eternity. Your comments are a keeper. My favorite is PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
DiAnn,
Thank you for this post! I recently started a Forty Forty Challenge of reading through the Book of John and committing to walking one mile a day for forty days. Your post brought back to mind the Scripture and study I did this morning. I’m reading this just as I completed my 1.4 mile walk in 80+ temp in New Braunfels. Your words refreshed my soul! And thank the Lord that I had some times of cool(ish) breezes just like He provides us as we go along our journey with Him and for Him.
Karen, congratulations on your commitment to spiritual and physical health. Yes, it’s hot to be outside, but how the refreshment of A/C, just like God refreshes us.
I love road signs. Some of them are humorous at times, but they are all beneficial. So, when I saw this month’s title, I was hooked. You offered up great advice for the road signs for our journey with God. Thank you, DiAnn.
Thank you, Marlena, glad I caught your attention! Thanks for your kind words. If we all just listened to God, we might not need the road signs.
Such true words, DiAnn. Life’s adventures aren’t always what we wanted or expected, but we have to trust in God’s providence.
Tim, you are so right. Life’s adventures are unpredictable, but oh, the things we learn. Thank you!
I’m new to you as an author. Looking forward to your books. Do you have a favorite?
Hi Carol, thanks for your comments. I don’t have a favorite – I compare that to my favorite child or grandchild. I suggest browsing through my books on my website.