From Gravel to Grace
Road construction can be a real pain! Over the past week, there's been a whole crew working on the street right in front of my house. It started off with them just patching up some of the rougher spots and potholes. Jackhammers going off at the crack of dawn, dump trucks rumbling by every five minutes. It was chaos!
The next thing I knew, they were reworking the entire road surface, leaving a bed of loose gravel in their wake. Suddenly, our once-decent road became this rocky, uneven mess. Driving on it is like navigating an off-road course, and our poor car is taking a beating.
The Greatest Castle Never Built
Last week, Jason and I took some much-needed time off to rest and refresh ourselves. We spent a few days in northern Wales, taking in many sights, including three castles. They were all impressive, but my favourite was Beaumaris Castle. Now, there's a sight to behold! It's a massive fortress on the coast of Wales, with walls that stretch on for what seems like miles. But here's the thing: it was never finished. King Edward I had big plans for this castle but ran out of money before he could see it through to completion, leaving Beaumaris with the title “The Greatest Castle Never Built.” Bummer, right?
Footsteps of Faith: Navigating the Muddy Paths of Life
Following an exceptionally rainy winter in Wales, the hiking paths have become treacherous mud pits. While hiking yesterday, Jason lost his footing in the mire and clutched onto a wooden fence post to steady himself. Little did he know, the post was rotted at the base. It nearly buckled beneath his weight. Thankfully, Jason regained his balance and the fence post before getting covered in mud.
As Jason managed to steady both himself and the decayed fence post, it struck me how frequently we seek solace in things other than the Lord in times of need, whether in people, material belongings, or our perceived capabilities. We place our faith in them, only to find that they are not as reliable as we initially assumed, much like the seemingly sturdy yet rotted post that Jason had clung to.
Obedience Over Insight
Alright, let's dive back into Mark 2:1-12, shall we? I mean, can you blame me for wanting to hang out with these roof-tearing, friend-carrying guys a little longer?
Now, let's zero in on the moment when Jesus told the paralyzed man, "Arise, take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house." (Mark 2:11 KJV) I don't know about you, but if I were that guy, I'd be thinking, "Uh, Jesus, have you noticed I can't walk?" But what did he do? He didn't question, he didn't hesitate, he didn't even try to figure it out. He just got up and walked, just like that.
Man Plans; God Directs
Eager to hit the hiking trails last week, Jason and I checked the forecast for the best day. Friday showed sun, while Saturday predicted snow, so Friday it was!
After breakfast on Friday morning, we were greeted by rain showers mixed with fat snowflakes instead of sunshine. "No problem," we shrugged. “It’s Wales! Wet weather is just part of the charm. Besides, as usual, the rain will likely come and go in short bursts.” You can probably guess where this is headed.
Despite the continuing wintry mix, we stuck with Plan A, trudging up muddy slopes in worsening snow and sleet for hours. Slipping in sodden boots with freezing fingers, I muttered, “Maybe we should've waited till tomorrow." By the time we stumbled back to the car, I was as drenched and weary.