Getting In and Out of God’s Groove

by warren and mary beth powell

I awoke around 3:45 this morning. Before my accident on Thanksgiving, I would be up by 5-5:30 most mornings, getting a cup of coffee or tea, going out on the deck and enjoying the coming of dawn. Much of my writings were done during these early mornings with God.

Today is different though. This morning finds me sitting in my wheelchair at 4:15am in the courtyard of HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital here in Tyler, listening to the night birds singing their goodnight melodies to one another. At the same time, the morning birds are chiming in with "It's our turn next to celebrate the rising of the sun."

The air is a little heavy with moisture, suspended as if waiting in line to spread its coat on the grass and leaves like a thin coat of paint on an artist's canvas. I can see the wet shining like so many diamonds glittering with sparkles from streetlights across the lawn. Yet, after a few hours of sunshine, the moisture will disappear, partially evaporated and the rest feeding nature another snack to help keep it alive and growing. Where I sit the breeze is just perfect, tempting me to stop writing, relax and catch a quick nap before dawn. It is very tempting, indeed.

About 15 minutes ago I watched a bug leave the safety and security of the manicured grass near me, starting its journey across the expanse of the sidewalk where I am parked. It scurried along, coming to the indention of the straight line where 2 pieces of concrete are joined together. The bug went down inside, continuing to crawl along the bottom of that straight line.

Ever so often the bug would climb up the side as if it were checking out all around it, then disappear from my view, going on to the other side of the sidewalk. Of course, whenever he crawls out to look around, his life is in danger of being seen by birds, frogs or lizards, which could cost him his life. He would not ever reach his final destination.

As I watched, he reminded me of myself in certain areas of my daily walk through life. I start out deciding to do something, just like the bug decided to cross the sidewalk. I find myself choosing between the flat areas of my own "sidewalk", deciding on my own which direction I have to go, making choices based upon my situation. Instead, I could choose to get into the pathway that my creator has laid out for me [such as the builder did with the joints of the sidewalk]. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Even then, just like the little bug, I climb out of where I am safest [God's hands], looking around to see if I can do better, or faster, than the journey I am taking. God created a pathway for me, through the valleys, over the mountains, through good times and bad, in order for me to arrive at my final destination holding hands with Jesus.

Unfortunately, there are times when I make decisions to do something, and then ask God to bless my choices. I have to remember that I am not to seek after answers first. I am to seek his face first. "But seek you first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 So I am to pray first, make my choices based on his word and then praise him for what he has done and will do. But that is so hard to do every time.

Just like the little bug, I get impatient or bored with progress or timing in certain areas and climb out of the groove, looking around for shortcuts or something that feels better than doing it God's way. Perhaps the saddest part is that mostly I don't even realize I am doing it! And it subjects me to so much danger and heartache. But I get in such a hurry.

"Lord Jesus, I know you have a plan for each and every one of us. It is my prayer that everyone who reads this will always first ask for direction from you. We should follow your instructions rather than wander around the sidewalks of our lives, hoping maybe to make it across someday. Thank you for making our pathway to you possible. We cannot do it on our own. Only with you are we secure."