January 28, 2016

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding; acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

When our son was a member of the high school bowling team, his team bowled for the State Championship. This required us to travel to Pittsburgh, PA – the first I had been to this city since I was in college. I did not remember much about the city, especially the roads around and in the city, except for the area where three rivers converge. I was surprised by two things driving around Pittsburgh: the first was how many hills there are; the second was the number of tunnels you encounter driving around the outskirts of Pittsburgh.

I do not have a good relationship with tunnels you are required to drive through. I am nervous entering the tunnel, and grateful when I come to the other end. I think of the possibility of an accident inside the tunnel, and the probability of being stuck in the middle of a mountain. Similarly in life, sometimes we encounter unexpected tunnels on our way to a destination. Tunnel experiences vary depending on our life experiences. Unexpected bills come in, but finances stay the same, and we feel as if we are surrounded by a tunnel of fear. We send out resumes, but the phone remains silent or the email in-box remains empty, and we feel as if we are in a tunnel of doubt. The sun can rise every day but our minds feel overcast and dark. And these experiences can have an impact on our Bible reading, on our worship and on our faithfulness. It is easy to develop tunnel vision, allowing ourselves only to see the tunnel, and not focusing on the fact that there will be a day where we exit the darkness. This is where the text from Proverbs helps us realize that trusting in the Lord always will guide us through and out of the tunnels of our lives. Sometimes we may feel as if our path is blocked, but G-d promises to provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13ff).

When you feel blocked in life, or in your reading, remember to look for the bigger picture, and pray with trust knowing that G-d will always help you persevere through the tunnels, and stay on the right path.

Pastor Dave