ARROWS

I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.    Matthew 28:20

Recently when traveling through a mountainous terrain in the south, I came along a crew of workers constructing a new road in a mountain.  There were only a few cars going through this area but were directed to slow down.  For a short distance, the dust created from the vehicular equipment carving out the road, obstructed vision.  It was essential to slow down until the dust passed and the clear view of a perfect autumnal day was again in view.  Any physical arrow to navigate would have been useless for I would not have been able to see it.  I simply had to slow down and at one point stop because this was the safest and smartest thing to do. 

When trying to get from point A to point B, arrows are helpful indicators to direct us to destinations.  Arrows are posted on signs on the road, buildings, some maps, modern technological devices in vehicles, and on packaging.  Arrows are symbols that move from one place to another with a purpose—getting people where they need to go.  However, when grief is a companion on life’s journey, a purpose for getting from point A to point B may not be clear, and may not even be desired.  Motivation may be listless at best.  That is where Jesus comes in to be The Arrow to bring one’s focus to Him.  Slowing down and stopping to spend time with Jesus is a safe and smart thing to do.

Jesus will point you and me in the right direction if we let Him.  Jesus will never force anyone to look to Him and follow His lead.  But the Holy Spirit will persevere with His presence to lead one to a closer relationship with Jesus.  Grief seasons can allow one to be so needful of comfort that Jesus is given openness to a heart that He may not have been given before a significant loss occurred.  Furthermore, one who has been walking with Jesus for a long time and has trusted Him to be The Arrow of a life may find one seeing Him with fresh eyes since Jesus will stay in this uncharted path of grief.

I travel not to go anywhere, but to go.  I travel for travel’s sake.  The great affair is to move, said Robert Louis Stevenson.  Aimless may seem the way when a season of loss must be lived through.  But unlike physical travel, spiritual travels transport us to places unknown and unseen.  Often grief is the bridge that carries people to discoveries not possible by any other means.  Even if those views are at first undesirable, with Jesus they have the potential of becoming personal vistas that are worthy and enterprising.

Travel is typically a desired action.  However, sometimes it is a required one to help to be present to others, to learn, to work.  When grief enters a life and one is forced to navigate this terrain, asking Jesus to be the companion is one’s best defense against unexpected turns in the road and detours.  He wants to accompany you.  Will you let Him?

Jesus, You came into the world out of love for people.  You know the pain that love sometimes produces, for relationships involve and require unforeseen experiences that include loss and transition.  You are The Arrow that lives to love, to guide, to assure.  Jesus, Thank You for Your steady presence and availability to keep pointing people in the right direction.  May Your promise to be with us always be the living hope that keeps hearts warmed and hopeful for tomorrows yet to come.  In Thee Lord Christ, Amen.

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