There are some paths we all want to avoid.
In the first movie of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf is faced with a difficult decision.
Tasked with leading the fellowship to their destination safely he desperately wants to avoid traveling through the Mines of Moria.
After a series of events leaves Gandalf with no other choice he reluctantly agrees to travel through the mines.
During their journey into the mines Gandalf encounters a foe of great power and seemingly meets his end while defending the fellowship.
Unbeknownst to fellowship, Gandalf would later return in a more powerful form to turn the tide of the battle in their favor at the most critical moment.
In Matthew 26:36-39 we see Jesus desperately trying to divert His path from crucifixion:
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” Going a little farther, he fell face down and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.
God’s deliverance is often on the path we want most to avoid.
Prayer: Lord help me not to avoid the paths from which you would bring my deliverance. Help me to submit my will to You and hear Your voice in difficult times so that I can walk confidently in faith, even in the most difficult situations.
Action: Do you feel like you’ve been stuck? Is there something God wants you to do that you’ve been avoiding? Have an honest conversation with your Heavenly Father this week.
Frank Turner
Frank Turner is the founder of Break Bread, Break Chains and is the co-host of the following podcasts: Defund The Church, Relative Currency, Politically Entertaining, and Christ over Crypto. He is also the founder and creator of the op-ed site Fake News Syndicate.