“Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will bring me safely through them. You will clench your fist against my angry enemies. Your power will save me!” Psalm 128:7

While preparing for a talk I was giving to a group of women I had a visual come to my mind. I was thinking about what life looks like when we run our race. I first thought about how I like to run my race. I thought about a running track. I like to run a track that has clearly marked lanes, a smooth surface, curves that I can see before they are right in front of me, and I can see the finish line ahead with no obstacles. Easy!

Then I began to think of a maze. That would really be more realistic. When I think of how I run my race, I run around and find myself stuck or lost. But the definition of a maze is a puzzle that has many paths and many exits. That’s not where I want to run my race either.

Many people are running their race hoping there are many ways to Jesus or heaven. Then I remembered a game I had as a child. It was called Labyrinth. I remember how frustrated I would get with that wooden box that tilted and had two knobs which guided a little silver ball through the dead ends and around the holes that were placed on the main board. I don’t think I ever made it to the finish. I then looked up the definition of a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a puzzle that has many paths but only one exit. I thought this really can explain our walk with the Lord. As the Lord leads and guides us through various twists and curves He may lead us down a dead end. It is there that we may be tested, taught to wait or have to choose to make a u-turn. Then the board tilts again and we are not in a dead end but find another wall or choice ahead. There are even times when we feel things shifting under our feet or times when we even fall into a hole for a period of time. Often we find we are surrounded by trouble.

BUT….these things have not taken God by surprise! He knows where we are and He guides us along the path or the track that He has laid out for us. Our part is to always seek Him, know He is with us wherever we are, and to continue to trust when we can’t see around the next curve. Life is a labyrinth of many paths but as believers in Jesus Christ we know there is One to follow and He will bring us safely to the exit ….where, by the way, He is and we will be face to face one day.

Blessings,
Kathy

Kathy’s on staff at America’s Keswick in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 28 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday school and Bible studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.