The Road Before Us

"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a

Human strength is a strong deterrent to trusting in Christ. When we rely on our own strength, resources, and knowledge, we assume we can handle situations without help from God. We tend to divide problems into two categories: problems that we know require God's help and problems we think we can handle on our own." -  Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day

"“Hanging in there”—the Bible calls it perseverance—isn’t possible through mere willpower. We persevere because God promised, over and over, that He’s with us, that He’ll give us strength, and that He’ll accomplish His purposes in our lives. That’s the message He spoke to the Israelites through Isaiah: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

What does it take to “hang in there”? According to Isaiah, the foundation for hope is God’s character. Knowing God’s goodness allows us to release our grip on fear so we can cling to the Father and His promise that He will provide what we need each day: strength, help, and God’s comforting, empowering, and upholding presence." - Our Daily Bread October 9 2019
We live in wondrous, dangerous, times. 
Oh the abilities to go and see this world around us without ever setting foot outside our doors.  The ability to communicate across the planet within seconds.  To see turmoil or fantastic things in an instant.  Strife is caught on video faster than a television station can get there to 'officially' record it. 
Interestingly panic, anxiety, worry, and a host of other feelings plague the same people.  Time constraints in producing only what is needed rather than a surplus can make or break a company. 
In our own lives it's odd that with a vast amount of ways to communicate that suicide and escapism into either drugs or fantasy is what prevails.  People are seeking peace and rest. They seek to be needed and wanted. Yet keep avoiding the one who promised what they are longing for.
Today's two pieces that I shared seem to be bookends. 
If we but admit it, if we would acknowledge it, life really is not in our control.  We are bombarded on all sides by those wanting our attention, our time, our energy.  Those in politics want to enforce a worldview rather than what people actually want.  Trying to influence decisions to gain control.
Only in Christ is peace possible.  
We are on a dangerous road called life. There's all kinds of distractions to try to lead us off of it. 
God has His plan for us and there's the sin  nature within us. Then there's the people in our immediate circle.  Then our extended circle and lastly the world.  Paul certainly had a full life.  To me, I can see he had character traits that his nature would have taken advantage of in his Apostolic position, had God not provided a 'thorn in the flesh' to keep it in check.
I look at me.  I can see the limitations that God has imposed on me to prevent me from being like that.  It's often said that we are our own worst enemy.  That the one limiting us the most is the one in the mirror.
The dependence upon Christ is our calling and for our own good.  The verse of the day today was very apt.  It mentions clinging to the Lord.  As an observer of people, watch children.  Those who have really learned to trust in their parents, cling to them in uncertain circumstances. 
Both hands on one hand of a parent while walking.  Begging to be held when faced with certain new things.  

You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 13:4

Look at how sheep are taught to obey their Master.  We are His sheep if we listen to Him.  See Jesus quoting that from Deuteronomy?  He said My Sheep hear my voice.

The roads of life we are on are slippery. They are rocky. They aren't well paved. We don't have the best shoes.  Most of us have trouble walking.  God promised to be there regardless.  He's told us what to do when we are in the world and in our own world.

Pray without ceasing. - constant communication with God.
Bear one another's burdens. - show the world and each other the unmerited favor of God.
Look at the beginning of the book of Colossians.  Look at what Paul prays for concerning those people.  There's a lot of Godly priorities right there.

Don't lose heart in what you are going through.  Jesus has never left you.  It simply may be that we need to cling to Him more and trust ourselves less.

Peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll.  Whatever my lot thou hast taught me to say it is well it is well with my soul.