Today I walked along the St. Joseph River. The Northside Trail is smooth and wide, but it is by no means straight. The trail parallels the river, which winds its way into downtown South Bend. The scenery is spectacular blends of a variety of trees and plants, some of which has inhabited the riverbank for centuries.
I wouldn’t want to, but what would happen if somebody decided to straighten the river for some reason. It would be a monumental task. Vegetation would be uprooted along with the people living along the river. Businesses would have to be closed or moved. Lives would be disrupted. Chaotic traffic conditions would also disrupt life for thousands of people.
At the end of the project, would it be worth the time and effort? Probably not! Similarly, struggling against the ways of God require lots of time and effort but lead only to frustration and ineffectiveness. Ecclesiastes 7:13 says, “Notice the way God does things; then fall into line. Don’t fight the ways of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked?” God may not lead you straight to where you want to go, but He will take you on the trail that is best for you. Fighting against His ways will only bring hurt and ruin to your life.
Take time to examine where God is leading you. Pursue His ways above all other trails.
Reluctant Retiree 