As I was walking today…
It was very interesting…
We left together and then soon my team spread out in our walking!
We were all spread out so that I couldn’t see anyone else on the path.
The paths naturally spread us out by what the path type was and how our body physically needed to handle the obstacle.
You see as we were walking the paths were changing…
-a paved road
-a gravel road
-a dirt road
-a straw & dirt path
-a dirt sand path
-a path that goes uphill
-a small stone path
-a narrow path
-a large stone path
-a path that goes downhill
-a path through a field
-a path walking through the grass
On top of all these paths, there were many different elements involved…
-sometimes is was just you with no one in sight
-sometimes you saw someone you know up ahead
-sometimes you saw a stranger along the path
-sometimes you passed someone on the path
-sometimes someone is behind you
-sometimes you walk with someone
-sometimes you walk as a group
All these different Serenios…
While I was walking through these places and with people & by myself.
The Lord was showing me these pictures of the differences…
Sometimes, the path will get rocky & hard to walk on, just as in life you will go through hard situations.
Sometimes, the path will be sandy & feel heavy under your feet, just as sometimes you feel like you are exerting a lot of energy to get through this season.
Sometimes, the path will be grassy and easy, just as sometimes you walk through seasons that seem like nothing can go wrong.
Sometimes, the path will become narrow and only seem like there is one way to go, just as sometimes you can only walk one step at a time focusing on what’s ahead.
Sometimes, the path is wide & well paved, just as sometimes there seems lots of choices and ways to walk through a situation.
Sometimes you see someone up ahead, just as in life someone has walked through what you are going through, & you see them surviving and you are encouraged to continue. Or they verbally lift you up with their encouraging words.
Sometimes you see someone behind you on the path, just as sometimes others will walk through what you have gone through, remember to help and encourage.
Sometimes you get to walk with someone beside you, just as sometimes you struggle with the same things, you get to walk through it together with a partner.
Sometimes you even get to walk in groups, just as in life sometimes you can walk through some situations in support groups.
These were all different pictures of the different seasons we as humans walk through! The Lord wants to walk through them all with us!
If we let Him, He will guide our path…
He will be with us every step of the way!
Proverbs 3: 5-6 (ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Also, something I forgot; that even though one path/season seems rough & hard; it’s meant for a reason to help you learn new things, to help you to grow, and to draw you closer to the Lord. Also, the hard path/season might simply be there to guide you to the beautiful view/experience ahead, in order to experience the great thing, you first have to walk through the trials to get to it, to really appreciate it!
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:12 (ESV)
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
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Also, another thing that I noticed while on the Camino, are the yellow arrows & shells that point our way!
-Sometimes these arrows are on the road/ground
-sometimes on the wall
-sometimes on street signs
-sometimes on plaques
-sometimes they are on guardrails
-sometimes they are on trash cans
-sometimes they are spray painted
-sometimes they are vinyl arrows
-sometimes they are made of ceramic
-sometimes you see multiples within view
-sometimes you only see one
-sometimes you don’t see any at all
-sometimes the arrow is faded
-sometimes you only see the shell
Just as the paths painted a picture for me. These arrows give me another picture.
You see for me the arrows represent God & my relationship with Him and His direction in my life.
Sometimes the arrow is bold and clear, and I can follow the path with ease & reassurance that I’m going the right way.
Sometimes the arrow is faint and hard to see, this for me represents me not seeing His plans clearly or sometimes me not seeking the Lord and His path for my life.
Sometimes there are many different arrows within a short distance, these help guide me, when the path is tricky and I’m leaning on the Lord.
Sometimes I don’t see an arrow at all, a lot of times I begin to panic & second guess myself, did I go the right way?
Maybe I should walk back and check?
Oh no, please not the wrong way?
Where are the arrows?
Doubts creep in, I become distracted!
This happens a lot in life for me, I feel at the beginning I’m following the right path, but soon lose my focus on the Father and get distracted by things of the world. This requires me to put my Focus back on the Lord and his path for me, to stop seeking the desires of the world!
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Below are a few pictures showing one day on the Camino, some of the different paths, roads, & trails one could take! (See how the Lord inspired me through these images!)
Lord,
Wherever Your path for me leans,
I want to follow it!
Make Your ways clear for me to follow!
Guide me where You want me to go,
show me Your ways,
open my eyes to see what You see,
and help me to love as You Love people!
Lord help me to rely on You and give You the anxiety that comes with the unknown!
For I believe just as it says in Psalm 55:22,
“Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.”
And as it says in Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Lord, You have plans for me,
help me to patiently wait
and rejoice in Your timing!
Love,
Mallory
