My friend Bev recently changed her work schedule, freeing up more time for ministry.

One morning she prayed, “Lord, show me what you want me to do today.”

“Go to Walmart,” said the Lord.

“Walmart?” questioned Bev, “but I don’t need anything at Walmart.”

“Yes, Walmart,” responded the Lord. “Go, and I will show you when you get there.”

So Bev arrived at Walmart, still unsure of what would happen. 

“Where should I go, Lord?” 

“To the back of the store, the toy aisle,” came her answer.

There Bev encountered a distraught looking woman, softly weeping.

During the next 15 minutes, they talked. The Lord showed Bev what to say to encourage the woman’s heart and remind her that God was present. Before leaving, Bev prayed for the woman, and they shared a hug.

How glad she was she went to Walmart!

In Acts 8, we read of another divine appointment.

Philip had developed a fruitful ministry in Samaria. The people were seeing the miracles, healings, and deliverance from demons that followed Philip wherever he preached.

Many came to Christ, “and there was great joy in that city.” (v.8)

Philip likely wondered then, why one day God asked him to leave Samaria and go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza (v.26).

But Philip obeyed, taking this less travelled road. There he encountered the treasurer of Ethiopia, a Gentile, who had journeyed to Jerusalem in search of the things of God.

Philip met the man just as he was reading and puzzling over a prophecy about Jesus.

As Philip rode along in the man’s carriage, he shared the good news of Jesus with him. The man confessed, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” (v.37)

Stopping near some water, Philip baptized the man. Shortly thereafter, the man went on his way rejoicing!

I imagine Philip rejoiced as well, when he realized taking the desert road had led to this divine encounter.

When God said, “Go!” Philip didn’t question, didn’t argue, didn’t feel resentful because he was busy.

Philip went!

As he headed out on the less travelled road, he didn’t know what would lie ahead. But his obedience to “Go!” ultimately resulted in a stranger coming to faith in Christ!

When God says “Go!” . . . what will you do?

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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Last week I enjoyed an afternoon bike ride with my husband on a scenic rail trail in Pennsylvania. It was one of those October days in which the sun felt warm and the shade cool. Trees hinting yellow leaves lined both sides of the seemingly endless path, while the only sound was leaves crunching beneath bike tires.

Robert Frost’s well-known poem “The Road Not Taken” came to mind—“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood . . . .” The poet expresses coming to a juncture and pondering which path to take—knowing all too well that as he starts down one road, and way leads to way, it’s unlikely he will ever be back to travel the other.

He concludes:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.”

I thought about a crossroads time in my own life, in which I chose a path to follow, leaving a different one behind, never to know what might have been.

I pondered with thankfulness the hand of God on my life, the things He has seen me through, and the blessings that have come. I contemplated the choices I’ve made—even the ones once tinged with uncertainty or regret.

Sometimes it’s hard to decide which road to take. How do we know what’s right? What’s best? Where it will lead us?

Like Frost’s poem, the words of Scripture in Proverbs 3:5-6 are simple and colloquial, yet dense with meaning and significance.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

God simply asks us to trust Him, to seek Him, to stay in His presence.

As we journey through life, we will encounter pitfalls on the side of the road. A few steps off the path and we easily fall into ditches of self-pity, pride or despair.

But God asks that we keep our eyes on Him, seeking His will in all we do, and trusting Him in all things. He promises to always be with us. 

“ . . . let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”  (Hebrews 12:1-2) 

Seeking and staying close to the Lord, He protects us, as His words guide our feet and light our path.  

He shows us the way to go. He leads us beside peaceful streams. He renews our strength. He guides us along right paths. We need only ask, trust, and stay in His presence.

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Elton

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