Cross-Country Trip!
By Pastor Ben

“He will be our guide.”    (Psalm 48:14)

Anyone up for a cross-country trip? What? Road trip! Count me in. Load up the car and let’s go! But wait. Reality check:
* Can we postpone this until the pandemic is over?
* My savings account is almost empty.
* I might get carsick or Oops, I should have checked with my spouse first.

Don’t worry — I’m not talking about leaving the house, neighborhood, or town. Here’s the plan for the next month: Jesus has invited us to follow Him, so we’re going cross-country. We’ll be taking in the extreme, sacrificial love He has for us and strengthening our faith mile by mile. Jesus will be our Guide, providing the plan, the means, and the resources we need. The adventure will lead us through homes, gyms, restaurants, sporting venues, the open road — wherever we travel throughout each day.
Following our Guide will include daily trips to the Cross, where Jesus gave His life as the perfect, atoning sacrifice for our sins and our salvation. We’ll stop there as our repentant hearts receive His full forgiveness. We’ll stand in awe at the resurrection tomb, where He shares the great news of His victorious, never-ending life.

He will take the lead, directing us by His Word and Spirit. No matter what challenges, temptations, and hurts we face in this broken world, He will bring us peace and joy.
Before we get going, be prepared. God may not always lead us along the route we want or plan to travel. Sometimes we may be absolutely oblivious of the itinerary! He may have to repeat His instructions countless times. But know this: God’s direction is always best. He knows all things. He has the entire plan already worked out, and He assures us that all of it will work for the good of His people.

Ok. We’re all set! We’ll be traveling confidently through each day, for “he will be our guide.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”                            (Proverbs 3:5-6)

PRAYER STARTER:
Show me your ways, Lord. Direct me down the road of grace that leads to a repentant heart and peace at the foot of Your Cross . . .