Driving in Circles

“You’ve been traveling around this hill country long enough; turn north.”

Deuteronomy 2:3 HCSB

“I have sought You with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from Your commands.”

Psalm 119:10 HCSB

Do you ever feel like you’re moving in circles? Do you keep going but seem to never find your exit? When you are lost, do you ask for help?

When I was 17, I had my first solo freeway drive! I was heading about an hour away to visit my friend, Tina. My father led the way in his car, and my mother gave continuous directions as she would turn around and wave me forward to move closer, or hold her hand up when I needed to leave more space.

We arrived at Tina’s house safely and my parents headed home.

A day or two later, it was time for me to leave. Tina wasn’t able to join me, so I headed out alone.

I started out correctly as I began driving east. Once I got on the outerbelt that surrounds my city, I continued to follow it around and couldn’t find my exit. Since this was before cell phones, I pulled into a gas station and called my father from a pay phone asking for his guidance. At first, he encouraged me to keep going the same way. I called him again and again for directions, until he told me that I had gone too far! I almost drove the entire loop before getting off at my exit!

My parents had waited for me to return home so they would know I was safe. We hurriedly left for a family reunion. But when we reached the park, everyone was cleaning up. We soon got back in the car and had a silent ride home.

In life, we will find times when we seem to be moving in circles. No matter how hard or fast we work, we can’t seem to get where we want to go. These times especially call for us to check in with our Heavenly Father, to ask for His guidance and assurance. He will continue to advise us and wait patiently for our return. He will not leave us behind. And even if we find ourselves going back to where we were before, or missing out on opportunities, He will continue to answer our calls and love us anyway.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your constant love and guidance. We long to follow You, but at times we lose our way. Please continue to protect us when we wander, just as You protected Moses and the Israelites who wandered in the desert. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Journal: Reflect on the questions above. Remember to call on the Lord when you need His help.