What's Your Destination?
By Carl Kimbrow, Fellowship Bible Church Rogers Celebrate Recovery Devotional Team writer, 1/8/20
On life’s road we all take
detours. Sometimes our detours are caused by things we can’t control like
sickness, injuries and financial setbacks. Sometimes it’s self-inflicted by
things like addiction or other sinful behavior.
When we hit a detour, the
solution seems simple. We work hard to try to get our life pointed back towards
our destination where we think everything will be alright, and that once we
reach that destination, our journey will be over. But, what I’ve found in that
situation is that the journey isn’t over, it’s just starting!
When I first came to
Celebrate Recovery, I wanted freedom from my sin and struggles. My detour was a
rocky road full of potholes that I wanted to get off as fast as possible. Over
the first few months, the potholes became fewer in number, and the road signs
pointed to an exit ahead. That brought a feeling of relief. If I could reach
the exit I could get back on the highway and soon reach my destination of peace
of mind and freedom from my struggles, and my journey would be over. Little did
I know that what I saw as my destination would only be a “rest stop” in my life.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in Him my
heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks
to Him.” Psalm 28:7
When my attempt to “fix” myself
fails, I must put my faith in the Lord and trust in His plan. When I
turned my problems over to God and trusted Him to help me, I reached the “rest
stop” in my life I needed so badly. When I joined a step study Godly people came
into my life in the form of accountability partners who helped me focus on life
change. They soon became close personal friends whom I trust and love deeply.
The change was so freeing and felt so good that I wanted to camp out in my
“rest stop” forever! But God would not allow me to make this my destination
because He had other plans for me.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
God has made us in His
image. In order to be a good steward of that image, I must follow the example
of Christ and live a life that serves others. As I sat in my “rest stop,” I
heard God tell me it was time to get back on the highway because freedom from
my sin and struggle wasn’t my destination – becoming more Christ-like is my
life’s journey. As I learned this, God began to put opportunities to serve others
in front of me. At first, I resisted. But over time, God created a desire to
serve others where I was able to do so. Service brought an inner peace I had
never known. It helped me stay on the highway and avoid bumpy detours. I had a
closer relationship with God than I ever had before. Serving God by serving
others let me see how God would allow me to be a part of His plan. My journey
didn’t end when I found freedom from my destructive habits, it was just
beginning!
As I travel life’s
highway, I remind myself not to be discouraged by detours. Detours can be God’s
way of bringing me closer to Him. As I
turn my focus on God, He will guide me back to the highway and use my experiences
to help and guide others. My relationship with God will grow stronger, and I will
find joy and peace.
Click HERE to listen to "The Joy of the Lord" by Rend Collective
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