Straight and Level

My path seems rough these days. After retirement (yay!), I have hit the doldrums of the daily-ness of my new life at home. “What are you griping about?” my still-working friends might reply. Life should be easy now, right?

Well, certainly there are greater joys in having extended time with my family and being able to dream and work toward many of the after-career goals I always cherished. But here’s the rub. As a wise sage once said, “Wherever you go, there you are!” In my new life, I still find … myself: my brokenness, my lack of discipline, my fears. They all still hold me back. My path still seems crooked and rough!

This passage, taken from Isaiah 40, brings me hope that someday — maybe even in this life — Jesus will open the path for me. He will show me the way of peace, joy, and fruitfulness that I long for so often. Isaiah prefaces this passage with, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1).

There will be a day when the path is made straight and level as our King returns. He can make it that way for us even now as we trust in his goodness.

Is your way rough today? I can relate! Are there unfulfilled dreams you now believe may never be reached? Me too! Let us be encouraged, though, that wherever you and I find ourselves, we can depend on the Straightener and Leveler of the way.

Lord God, my shins are bloody. My hands are cut from stumbling, falling, getting up to trudge again. Please, show me a straighter, leveler way. Please take my hand and lead me on. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Go Deeper — If you feel as if you are pushing a huge weight up a hill, stop. You don’t have to do this by yourself. Remember that you are yoked to Jesus, and that his Spirit fills you with his resurrection strength. Lean on him. That path may feel a bit more level.