“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
Psalm 139:7

Sometimes I really wonder about my mental health. No, I’m not talking about my emotional stability in comparison to others. I’m talking about my thought processes with regard to God. Sometimes, I can’t get enough of him. Other times, I want to hide. I guess I’m no different than the rest of humanity. What a strange creature man is.

Who would ever buy a boat ticket to travel as far away from God as he could, like Jonah did? I’m pretty sure he knew that plan wouldn’t work. Yet, we have the biblical record showing us his efforts in futility. I would never be that stupid! What was he thinking?

If I am brutally honest, I have the same struggle very often. Things will be clicking along well; then all of a sudden something happens, and I find myself way off track. Looking at the situation, I find myself quite dismayed. How could I have let things go like this? Let’s face it, God is quick to forgive once we confess our sin, BUT it may take a while to get back on to the main road after a bad shortcut.

The Puritan John Bunyan wrote about this in his classic “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” I highly recommend this book. Written in 1678, this Christian allegory is one of the most significant works in religious literature and has never been out of print. It has also been recently released as a movie. I also recommend watching this, although the book is definitely worth your time. The publication I read was “The Pilgrim’s Progress, Deluxe Illustrated Edition” by John Bunyan, Crossway 2009. This is a modern-language version of the original.

Anyway, we find my (our) problem in the book. Easier, softer ways seem to present themselves only to prove to be disastrous and dangerous diversions. It’s crazy how my life often resembles the main character.

Suffice it to say, I am to avoid these tempting alternatives. When I do find myself wandering, lost in my own error, I need to recognize my situation and seek my God. Thankfully, in his mercy, he will often send others to help me. Soon, I will find myself right back where I need to be.

Isaiah 35:8-10 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Praise God for his mercy and steadfast love! Amen.

Copyright © 2019 Scott Powers

Photo by Stephen Walker on Unsplash