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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRIP (10/18/18)
I take off with no plan in place. I go along and feel okay until I come upon a detour. If only I’d planned ahead, I may have found a better route in the first place. Now it’s too late. I don’t have the energy to figure out which direction to go, I don’t know how long it will take, and I’m running low on gas. I’ll have to turn around and go back. What a waste. Lesson learned. I determine to plan next time.

On my following attempt, I take off with a planned route. That feels good, so I head right for the fast lane and away I go. It isn’t long before the red warning light comes on, signaling that I should stop immediately, but I ignore it. I just want to get there as fast as I did in the past. Unfortunately, it isn’t long before I begin to swerve and then crash, so I don’t make it to my destination. Again, what a waste. Another lesson learned. Avoid the fast lane.

On my next try, I get in the slow lane and continue straight through. I reason that I’ll be fine since I’m going slower. But the orange warning light comes on, which means I should take a break at a rest stop. I look the other way, thinking that I can certainly manage at this slower pace. While I ultimately reach my destination, I crash once I arrive. Another lesson learned. Stop at rest stops when needed.

On yet another attempt, I plan ahead, take the slow lane, and utilize rest stops. I also decide that I can benefit from some divine wisdom, so I ask for God’s help to guide me. I go along and reason that I’m doing well so far. Even so, the yellow warning light comes on, prompting me to slow down. While I’m tempted to disregard it, I feel a nudge to pay attention to this warning. I decide to use an additional rest stop. After I get going again, I come to a fork in the road, and I’m not sure what to do. It’s unclear what either option will mean. I don’t want another crash. I’m grateful that I don’t have to figure it out on my own, but that I have the Lord guiding me. I turn in the direction I believe he is leading me to choose. From there, I carefully proceed. I reach my destination, have a good rest, and celebrate that I’ve had help to successfully follow the pacing road map.

After all I’ve learned, and with inviting the Lord to go with me, I’m much better prepared. Not only that, I can remain calm and confident on my next excursion. I’m certain he won’t steer me wrong nor leave me by the wayside. In pacing, and in other challenging areas I need to navigate, I can feel him with me. I find this so reassuring. Moving forward, I remind myself of the following:

Trusting
Resting
In God’s
Presence

Author’s note: This describes the journey to figure out how to pace when one has physical limitations.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Mariane Holbrook
10/27/18
This would be a good outline for a sermon, or for a speech to high school graduates about to set out on life's amazing journey. As you so beautifully pointed out, we can learn from our mistakes and move on and with God's guidance it can be a worthwhile trip even for those with disabilities to contend with. God bless.
Verna Cole Mitchell 
10/27/18
This is an excellent devotional.

Linda Lawrence 
10/28/18
I'm embarrassed to say this, especially after reading the other two comments, but I don't get "pace". Are you referring to nervous, anxious walking? Or something else? I enjoyed the piece but was then confused by the title and author's note. What am I missing?
Noel Mitaxa 
10/29/18
Part-way through, I wondered if it might be a computer game, but you led me through to a warm devotional. Thank you, and I like that neat alliteration to close.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/02/18
I think you did a great job and this piece will certainly help me. I've learned the hard way how difficult it is to pace myself. I either do too much and feel like a slug or overdo (drive to fast) and end up in agony because my body can't handle that fast pace the most people use. It seems like I'm always trying to catch up because I can't find that very fine line between going too fast or two slow. Your little road map has given me such a sense of peace. I know I'm not alone in trying to live with chronic illness. You also showed me that it can be done if I listen to Jesus and allow him to set the pace for me. In HS I ran track and I'd always try to stay in the front of the pack, but soon I tired and my brain screamed at my body that I wasn't ready for that pace just yet. Your story told me that God knows exactly what speed and direction I should be going and as long as I listen to him, I'll make it my destination. Thanks for your insight.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/02/18
I think you did a great job and this piece will certainly help me. I've learned the hard way how difficult it is to pace myself. I either do too much and feel like a slug or overdo (drive to fast) and end up in agony because my body can't handle that fast pace the most people use. It seems like I'm always trying to catch up because I can't find that very fine line between going too fast or two slow. Your little road map has given me such a sense of peace. I know I'm not alone in trying to live with chronic illness. You also showed me that it can be done if I listen to Jesus and allow him to set the pace for me. In HS I ran track and I'd always try to stay in the front of the pack, but soon I tired and my brain screamed at my body that I wasn't ready for that pace just yet. Your story told me that God knows exactly what speed and direction I should be going and as long as I listen to him, I'll make it my destination. Thanks for your insight.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/04/18
Congratulations on ranking 11th overall. Happy Dance. This story falls into one of my all-time favorites.