There will be times and seasons where we know deep in our hearts that our hearts love God and we are trying to obey God fully but we end up in places, in circumstances that do not seem like God is in this at all. There are times when “God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.” (Job 37:5, NIV84) There are times when we pray with David, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4–5, NIV84)
Sometimes the path of God leads us into the desert regions like it did for Jesus. Sometimes the path of God leads us to the cross. (Matt 10:38) There are times when the provision of God may seem to be lacking as when Elijah was fed by ravens. (1 Kings 17:4) Perhaps the purpose of God seems to lead to death as when the Elijah told with widow to give him all her food (1 Kings 17:12). There can be times of persecution, stoning, flogging and disgrace. There can be attacks and shipwrecks. Paul experienced all of this.
There are times when our obedience to Jesus leads us down the road less travelled. “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” (1 Corinthians 4:9–13, NIV84)
These times seem like dark seasons. We wonder how our love for God led us to this place of loss. We wonder if it is possible to escape this place. It is in this darkness that we wonder if it is still possible to hope and believe that the promises that led us here are still true. The psalmist spoke of this place – “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.” (Psalm 77:19, NIV84)
What do we do when we come into a place so confusing that we cannot see how we got here or how to get out? How do we pray and seek God when we cannot even see His footprints or any evidence that we are still on God’s path?
First, search your heart. If you know that the choices that brought you here were made in integrity of heart out of love and obedience to God, then stand firm. Job experienced this place too! “”But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.” (Job 23:8–12, NIV84) Stand firm knowing that God is working gold in you!
Second, remember God. Recite His promises! Meditate on His Love. His love carried you to this place and at the appointed time, His love will carry you out of this place.
Third, worship Him! True worship loves God because of who He is not because of what He has done! God is Holy! God is Love! God cares! All that God is deserves all of our worship all of the time!
Finally, never ever forget that God knows where you are. You may be puzzled but God is not. His ways are not always our ways! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV84) Never doubt in the darkness what God revealed to you in the light.
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