Drifting

Apr 10


Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

 Psalm 119:105 NIV

 

Ba-da-bomp. Ba-da-bomp.  Ba-da-bomp.  This metronome of sound droned on as our car traveled over the seams in the road.  The sound lulled me into a dream state, not asleep, not awake. As minutes in the car turned to hours, the white dashed lines, meant for keeping us in our lane, began to slur together.  I drug my eyes across the lane to stare at the solid white line on the other side instead.

 

The longer I stared at that line, the closer we got to it.  I was hypnotized.  Before long, I was startled awake by the whirrrr of the safety grooves right outside of the lane.  The sound was loud and echoed in the car.  My heart raced as I sat a little straighter.  My husband was half asleep, too. Not completely paying attention, he drifted.  The car crossed the solid white line, and we were all jolted awake with the sound of the safety grooves.  The grooves scratched into the pavement on the wrong side of the lane.  These were meant to alert drivers of leaving the prescribed pathway set out by the Department of Transportation.

 

My husband quickly straightened the wheel and guided us back into the lane.  By this time, we were both wide-awake, adrenaline pumping.  Drifting.  It’s a scary thing that happens to all of us at some time or another.  What if we had driven off the side of the road and crashed into something?  What if we had drifted into the other lane of traffic into a larger tractor-trailer truck?  What if?

 

Sometimes the drifting takes place in our spiritual life instead.  We are lulled to sleep by the tedium of our everyday routine.  And in our sleep state, we drift away from God.  Many times, we don’t realize we are off the path until we’ve crashed into something.

 

Fortunately, we do have a safety alert system in our spiritual life, as well – the Holy Spirit.  Don’t go there.  Should you be reading this?  Are your words uplifting to another?  What are you putting into your mind and heart with this TV show?  Ever heard that little voice speak these words in the back of your head?  That’s the Holy Spirit.  He will guide you on the path and keep you from crashing. 

 

Drifting happens to all of us from time to time. It is normal.  If you are startled awake to find yourself drifting, don’t wallow in the “what ifs.”  Just listen for your “safety grooves” to guide you back to the path God prepared for you.  Once you get back on the road, thank the Lord and enjoy the ride.

 

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.  Psalm 16:11 NIV

      

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  • BethAnne Apr 10 at 2:57 pm

    Great analogy. I am thankful for those spiritual safety grooves!

  • Stephanie (Ocean Mommy) Apr 10 at 5:58 pm

    Great perspective! I loved this….

    steph.

  • Cheri Apr 10 at 6:15 pm

    Nice Carol. I like this!I’ll be reminded of God often considering my hubby is ever one to hit those safety grooves! 🙂

  • Grafted Branch@Restoring the Years Apr 10 at 6:54 pm

    Exactly.

  • Jenifer Apr 11 at 1:18 am

    Awesome post! Thank you Father, for the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Blessings,
    Jenifer

  • Sita Henderson Apr 11 at 1:34 am

    Thing is, we’re such natural drifters. Takes no effort. Coasting along on our own steam, that is until we hit a pothole (because our vision has become so blurred) and are thrown.

    Pursuing God, on the other hand, must be proactive, getting out of the tent to gather up the manna. Many times I wonder why He tarries with me.
    So glad He knows how to love me.
    Blessings.
    Love, Sita
    [P.S.-Would appreciate your prayers for me as I still seek to find out what talents He has blessed me with that He wants to use in ministry. Thank you. Feeling a bit weary and blank inside.]

  • kmom3 Apr 11 at 12:31 pm

    This is such a great analogy!
    I came by here on the run yesterday and didn’t get to leave a comment!

    See you very soon! 🙂

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