Lord Over the Crooked Path
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Ever been sauntering down the happy-go-lucky path, only to stumble into a sharp turn? While reading Proverbs 3: 5-6, I was caught off guard by the notion that God will make my path straight. If He has to make it straight, that must mean it’s crooked, right? It never occurred to me, really, that perhaps the crooked paths are the rule and not the exception. In a world marred by sin, there are sharp twists, long turns, and many-an opportunity for a straight path to turn crooked. But He is Lord over the crooked path.
From health crises, work issues, money problems, family strife…we are confronted with daily opportunities to trust in the Lord. But if we don’t lean into Him and surrender our will to His (ahem, obeying scripture no matter what) as we walk the path God has for us, we will miss out on the miracle of how He turns what’s crooked, straight.
Sometimes the crooked path is out of our control, sometimes we cause it, but no matter what contorts our path—even if it’s of our own doing, He is Lord over the crooked path. He is faithful to straighten things out. But as we journey, we must refuse the temptation to camp out in the crooked crevices. We must get up, dust off our shirts, and say “Lord, this crooked thing happened and I am getting up, giving it to you, and entrusting it to you so that you can set this straight.” No more living offended, no more sitting on the sidelines.
May we be mothers who allow living water to flow through every area of our hearts—no stagnant puddles here! Let’s refuse to let offense or sin or pain close off the Holy Spirit’s access to us. Entrusting it all to Him is the only way we will truly relish in the glory of God’s wonder-working, redemptive power. He wants us to lean in, all the way, all the time. He wants our children to be benefactors to His healing work in our lives and families!
May we be like a fresh glass of water to our spouses and children—refreshing to be around! May rivers of living water burst forth from us, so that the Spirit of God can wash off the mire of the day as we embrace our loved ones! If we lean in, trust, surrender, and let Him wash over us, we will be amazed at how he smoothes out the rigid rocks and straightens out our crooked paths.
Mama, may His face shine upon you, may He be gracious to you as you embark on a new moment in motherhood today.
From Another Mother,
Lex