Do You Have Blinders On?

This past weekend we had the opportunity to speak at a church in Monroe, North Carolina.  It was an absolutely georgeous weekend to travel.  The sun was shining and it was in the 60's.  You couldn't ask for better traveling weather.  However, in order for us to get from Eastern Kentucky to our destination we had to cross over Black Mountain which is the highest point in Kentucky.  For those of you who know me well, know that I do not like to travel over the mountain.  I get car sick and I just do not enjoy the experience at all!  Saturday morning we set out on our journey.  I had prepared myself, I was prayed up, and I was ready to go.  I have to admit, it was beautiful up on the mountain.  Even though the temperature was in the 60's, there was still about three inches of snow left on top and it made for a beautiful picture.  Well, I did fine going over.  I didn't get sick.  I was calm.  Panic averted!  UNTIL, I realized we would have to cross back over on our way home, but this time at night.  Let me set the stage for you.  Black mountain is barely a two lane road with the mountain on one side of the road and cliffs on the other side.  There are no street lights anywhere!  There is absolutely nothing along the winding stretch of 15 miles of mountain road.  So, the thought of traveling that at night TERRIFIED me!  All I could think about the entire day was how can we go back home without going over the mountain.  Now my husband, being the incredibly kind-hearted soul that he is, would have traveled five hours out of the way just to keep me from panicking.  But I couldn't do that to him.  So I knew I was going to have to just suck it up.  On our way back home, we got to the last stretch of our journey and there it was.  The mountain in front of us.  Pitch black of night.  Only prayer and our headlights to get us over.  As soon as we hit that first deep curve, I put my head in my lap and told my husband to tell me when we are on the other side.  So for the next 15 miles and what seemed like an eternity, I didn't look up once.  Needless to say, we made it over fine.  But in my terrified state, for some reason, not looking was the answer I thought would keep me safe.

Why do we do that?  Why do we, when faced with difficult decisions or tough situations, shut our eyes to it.  Like it will go away and we won't have to deal with it.  Putting my head down didn't make the trip any better.  It actually made it worse.  I was blind to everything around me.  I know I missed the lights of our vehicle shining on the glistening trees and mountain that still had lingering snow.  I bet it was beautiful!  Closing our eyes or our mind to difficult situations that we face will always make us miss something in our lives that God intended for us to see.  Maybe not physically see, but spiritually.  To get through difficult times, we have to trudge through sometimes knowing it's painful and terrifying.  But seeing our surroundings as we go through it, is important.  It's important to keep our eyes open so we don't miss an opportunity along the way to experience God's blessings through our pain.  If we go through life with blinders on, first of all, we will run into obstacles in life because we are not looking, plus we miss incredible moments, and chances are, those moments can draw experience and inspiration guided by the Holy Spirit that we can share with someone else.  There is a little plaque someone gave me that says, "The will of God will never lead you, where the grace of God cannot keep you."  God is always right there with His children.  Through the tough times and the good times.

I love the story in the Bible in Joshua 1 where God commands Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead the Isrealites to the promised land.  God tells Joshua that He will give him every place he sets his feet, just as he had promised to Moses.  No one would be able to come against them.  He was protecting them.  Joshua 1:5 says, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."  This same promise is given to us.  God is always there.  Taking us to new places.  Setting our feet on unchartered territory that sometimes to us can seem scary.  The trials and difficulties we go through can seem like we are fighting a losing battle.  But God will never leave us nor forsake us.  We have that promise!  So instead of closing our eyes or mind to the possibilities of what God wants us to see, we need to have them wide open so we don't miss anything.  It goes on in verse 6 and says, "Be strong and courageous."  Having courage is having confidence in God by the leading of His spirit.  Knowing God is right there with us, we can be confident that He will get us through.  That is what gives us peace through our circumstances.  Not shutting our eyes!

Life is always going to bring rough spots.  As long as we are on this earth, we will hit bumps in the road.  Some little bumps and some huge mountains!  But if we keep our eyes and our mind set on knowing that God is right there with us, the Holy Spirit guiding us each step of the way, we can be strong and courageous through all of life's difficulties.  One of my favorite passages of scripture is Hebrews 12:1-3 which says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  What a promise from God!  Jesus sacrificed the ultimate pain and suffering on our behalf and now He sits on the throne cheering us on to victory everytime we struggle.  Leading and guiding us through our own afflictions so we can come out on the other side giving Him the glory He so deserves!

His Humble Servant,

Angie Burkeen
Club 180 Ministry
503 Main Street
Cumberland,  KY  40823
http://www.club180ministry.com/