We drive life’s highway with our eyes set on an ambition destination.
It might be a long-range goal, like a college degree, a particular job, or an award. It could concern a ministry or a relationship.
Others are consumed with short-range goals that are building towards a larger goal. Young moms might be fixated on getting a young child to sleep through the night or be potty trained. The college student needs a good grade on their next test. A cancer patient must endure the next chemo.
We fuel our ambitions with encouragements, education, and experiences along the way.
There are always obstacles are on the ambition highway.
Always.
Every time.
Without fail.
Invariably.
Expect it.
Any goal worth achieving is worth working for. It’s worth crying over. It’s worth waiting for. There are some obstacles we can move out of the road. There are some obstacles we can drive around. Sometimes the obstacles, like serious illness, a move, or a baby, can divert our personal plans for a few years. Some obstacles bring delightful change and diversion, others are accepted and endured.
There are some obstacles that can slow our pace way, way, way down. The biggest set-back isn’t the obstacles, it’s our reaction to them. We’re surprised because we expected to speed down the road without pit stops and receive the glory gold.
We’re upset when the route we mapped out is changed.
We’re angry that our plans were overruled.
We forget we’re not in charge.
Remember how you gave the Lord your life? Your heart? Your plans? Your gifts? Your abilities? Your time? We didn’t ask the Lord for a stamp of approval on our plans, we gave Him our plans to accomplish in His time, in His way, and for His purposes.
Don’t stop driving.
Don’t let discouragement or lack of faith keep you from serving and striving.
Persevere.
When you put your ambitions in park, decay will set in.
It’s better to be a junker on the road than a pile of junk next to the road.
Just
Keep
Driving!
My friend, Nan, blogged about the same thing, only different. Getting LOST and driving out of your comfort zone. Stop by for an encouraging read!
http://momstheword–livingforhim.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-beauty-of-change-myhsm-linky-party.html
I’m so glad you got to meet my family! Nita is so special. I always tell my brother that despite him not asking my advice in choosing a wife, I’m very thankful he chose one I really like.
The first picture was taken in MN near the Bible camp our family works at, Story Book Lodge. The second one was taken on the way to the farm we lived on growing up in ND. The rusty car is in an almost ghost town, Marysville, MT.
Yes, life is also about changing ambitions, isn’t it? I know your heart’s desire is to serve the Lord, He will give you a new work to do, along with your online ministry of encouraging women in the faith.
So good to be in touch with you again!
Hi Mindy!! I loved the first pic with the birds crossing the road and the caption, and the second pic with the Bible verse which made me feel like I was really moving down that road, and I just loved loved loved the third pic with the house and old car. I love pics of old houses. I made (co-erced ;-)) my husband to stop and turn around for a couple pics of houses yesterday as we traveled. You post made me think of the ambitions I am leaving behind and of the new ones I need to make. My life seems like a blank slate right now without ambitions. I just left 3 of my kids and sweet DIL behind in WI. I also met your brother and your sweet SIL for the first (real) time 🙂 After being there a month, I am returning home. Lest I seem too much like that rusty car, I know the Lord goes with me and there is something up ahead. For some reason this season doesn’t so much affect our husbands. Mine is pretty thrilled to have me all to himself after all these years 🙂
I just love that rusty car pic!
Isn’t it beautiful? It is in Marysville, MT, an almost ghost town. We went up for dinner this summer and I had a blast taking pics. This year I discovered they are rebuilding the town. I hope they build around the car!