“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Every morning, when I leave my house for work, I drive on a long, straight highway. As I come down the on-ramp, I push the accelerator down and join the flow of traffic. It’s like being shot out of a rocket. With my music loudly playing, I reach maximum speed. It is my goal to arrive at my destination quickly. My drive is a direct east to west drive. However, towards the end of my morning commute, there are large blinking signs, suspended over the road, that read “Sharp Curve Ahead.”
I don’t believe the signs hanging above the road are there by accident. In fact, I believe they are there because of many accidents. After many miles of straight lines, the highway takes a significant turn. Most days the drivers negotiate this curve with ease and grace. However, there are times this sharp bend in the road causes drivers to lose control and vehicles careen out of control. If you are only focused on the destination, this unexpected change in the journey will cause problems quickly. Even if you don’t have an accident, and I hope nobody does, this sharp curve will slow down the trip.
We all experience sharp curves in life. We could be running straight and smooth for quite some time when the road ahead of us takes a detour. Sudden changes cause us anxiety, pain, loss and so much more. The unplanned events in life are often difficult for us to negotiate because we are not looking for them. Unfortunately, life does not come with large yellow signs and flashing lights to warn us about changes that are ahead.
As a people of faith, we must ask ourselves how we best handle the unexpected curves in the journey of life. The Apostle Paul wrote these simple instructions for our journey; “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.” Paul’s writing encourages us to keep our focus on God, stay in communication with God, and remember that, even when we experience detours, we have much to be grateful for. Today, as you drive to work, plan your next adventure, and travel life’s highway, remember God’s love for us all and give thanks.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
