Releasing My Map

I'm a planner, organizer and fantasist.  

Mapping out the road to my life as I expect it...as looks fitting. 

I've learned to adjust and recalculate at times...as necessary...but usually not without a battle within.  

When the twists and turns dizzy me and a season has provided more detours than I can keep count I find my map making less and less sense.  As confusion sets in, the fear mounts.  I'm lost!  And I can hear the voice of my GPS repeating, grating at my nerves: when it's safe, please turn around.  I keep checking the rear-view mirror, but it's not safe...it's never safe to turn around.  Or maybe it is...but truth be told, I fear living the safe life.   To head back to where I've been...to risk getting stuck there.  Missing out on more, just to be safe.  I want to move forward...keep going but this road is not familiar...and I'm learning that my ability to let go and follow the path blindfolded, by faith alone,  is not my forte.  

Hot and fighting I power off the GPS.  I'm scared...but even more so I'm offended.  I've seen others go down this same road with no bumps, no detours, no cross-roads to navigate.

I make a sharp right hand turn...I don't know why but I do it anyway.  The road is dark and I can't see more than 2 feet in front of me.  

Suddenly my car thrusts me forward...I've hit something and I can't move.  

As I get out and smell the smoke from the mangled engine I see a sign nailed to a large wooden post marked DEAD END.  I look to the left and right...what to do?  I look up...and there it is.  Close to the top of this wooden post is a cross-beam.  Then it hits me....the end of this road is marked with a cross.  

I look at the sign again...touch it with my hand and as my fingers brush over it's surface the letters smear... revealing something new underneath...something I couldn't see before.  New words...new meaning.  What I saw as a DEAD END now reads DEATH ENDS HERE in red cap letters.  But what does it mean?  

In that instant, my eyes flood with light...and there before me stands a man.  He hands me something...it's a map.  It's my map...carefully drawn and thought out but filled with paths of frustration, limitations and dog-eared from the wear and tear of the years.  My tired little map.  

As I look up to ask the man where he got my map, he hands me 2 more items...a hammer and a nail.  He leans against the post, his shoulder touching the sign...I read it again DEATH ENDS HERE.  

Give it up right here, he says.  Nail that map and everything that's tied to it - all your expectations, confusion, fear, offences and uncertainty - to the cross.  It's the end of this road.  Give it up and I'll show you something new.  

I take one last look at my well intentioned, planned out journey.  There was a day it looked really good...shiny and new, exciting, methodical...and yes, safe.  But in this light it didn't look quite good enough any more.  

With 2 swift blows I nailed it all to where it belonged.  I dropped the hammer, and with empty hands and eyes fully open I looked up and I recognized Him...it was Jesus.  

That's my girl, He said.   He pulled out a compass, looked up, waited and then nodded.  

Are you ready? He asked.  

Ready for what? 

To begin! 

I stared not knowing what to say. 

This is the beginning, my Love.  The beginning to live life abundant.  In case you didn't notice, death ends here.  I have so much more for you that you could never fit on that little map. I know stuff you don't...and I will lead you where you would never go on your own. Beyond the well travelled road.  Beyond this point.  The road ends here...death ends here. Let's go LIVE. 

We walked forward, beyond what I thought was a DEAD END.   

Beyond the boarders of my little map is where I began to live.

John 10:10 (AMP)

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). 

Isaiah 55:8-9 (AMP)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

(see pictures at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98938523039399472/  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98938523039399470/  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/98938523039399464/)