Where The Rubber Meets The Road

My friend was (is?) struggling today.

She is facing the floodwaters of her own Jordan River, blocking the way into her Promised Land.  She is feeling the pressure of her back against the Red Sea with the enemy bearing down on her.

What is the way out?  What is the way through?

She is in that thrilling and terrifying place Where The Rubber Meets The Road.  That place of knowing The Right Thing You, Lord, have called her to do.  That place of feeling assaulted by the enemy’s temptation to do The Easy Thing instead, so he can lead her down his path to destruction.  That place of straining under the ache of the imagined costs, which may be great — to her and many others.

That place of knowing she will, by Your Grace, do The Right Thing… come what may.

“Only a real risk tests the reality of a belief.”  (C.S. Lewis)

As we talked today in Your Presence, Lord, she raised up her Shield of Faith — the shield that is part of Your armor for her, and for all who belong to You.  We envisioned the shield looking like those used in the days when You first inspired Paul to write about it.  Shields that covered a soldier’s entire body.  Shields that could be locked together with fellow soldiers for added protection.  Shields You declare WILL extinguish ALL the flaming arrows of the evil one (Ephesians 6:16).

We locked shields today, she and I, standing together in the Light of Your Revelation.  But it was You, Lord, who gave her the courage she needs to do The Right Thing You have called her to do.

C.S. Lewis was right… wasn’t he, Lord?  It’s easy to claim faith when we are “coasting” on “autopilot.”  But isn’t it in the very hottest furnaces that precious metals are refined?  Forcing the impurities to rise to the top, so they can be skimmed away?  Leaving behind only what is pure and priceless?

Where exactly does The Rubber Meet the Road, Lord?  Perhaps it is in the Trials of Life, when our Faith collides with our Fear.  When we are given the opportunity to do The Right Thing, realizing The Right Thing is also usually The Hard Thing.  When we realize whatever choice we make has eternal consequences far more weighty than the practical details of our immediate “problem.”

What is the way out?  What is the way through?  And how many people will be affected — for all eternity — by the way we choose?

“Jesus answered, ‘I am The Way and The Truth and The Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  (John 14:6)

“Be strong and very courageous… Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  (Joshua 1:7a,8-9)

Tonight, Lord, I am lifting my friend to You in prayer.  Seeing Your Beauty in her… as she shines Your Light, by faith, into the darkness that surrounds her.

The enemy tried to “fan into flames” my friend’s fears about what The Right Way might cost her.  But I wonder, Lord:  What might You purpose to do on her behalf, because she wanted to please You… despite whatever pain might follow?

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  (2 Chronicles 16:9)

She has beheld Your glory, Lord.  I have a feeling, as the expression goes, she ain’t seen nothin’ yet!  🙂

Abba’s Girl

2 Comments

  • Janet R. Morsellino says:

    Thankyou for your words, they spoke volume to me in every way. it is exactly the road i’m on, God Bless you for the encouragement, you certainly have been used for me today. Janet

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