disoriented

I had a rather disconcerting moment this week. I was driving on a rather narrow road on which I had never travelled before. The road wound around the hills through some valleys. There was enough cloud cover that I could not see the sun. I realized that I was in a place with no familiar landmarks to guide me. Since the sun was hidden behind the cloud cover, I had absolutely no point of reference. I could not see beyond the tree lined road! The lack of landmarks and familiar reference points suddenly caused me to feel rather uncomfortable. I wasn't lost; I just didn't know where I was at in relation to the river and the highway.

Later in the day as I reflected on the whole experience, I realized the parallels between walking with God and my driving by faith. There are times in our life experience when God invites us to walk in place where there are no familiar landmarks. All the usual points of reference seem to be obscured. At that point, trust becomes an issue.

Any time God begins a transformative work in me, it is accompanied by a sense of disorientation. The familiar pathways have vanished from the rear view mirror. I feel unsettled by the lack of familiarity. Everything seems vague. In that place of disorientation, I am faced with the choice - Will I trust the invitation of God, leaving the security of the familiar to embrace the adventure of the unknown or will I make a hasty retreat to the last known landmark?

Oh...and by the way, I found my way. I am no longer wandering the back roads of Perry County!