What's Really In Your Way?

Is it just my imagination, or are people posting an unusual number of pictures of spectacular sunrises lately? Don't get me wrong. I love them! After all, I am a morning person in every sense of the word. My day starts very early, before sunrise. Believe it or not, that's by choice. Interestingly enough, I rarely see the beauty others are enjoying. While I am holed up in my prayer room, the Lord is creating something breathtaking right outside my window, and most days I miss it.

But there was one morning in the dead of winter that was different. I just happened to look out my window at the exact moment the sun was making its appearance. And what a beautiful sight it was! I knew I had to try to capture it on camera. Knowing time was of the essence, I gave no thought to the weather, but instead ran outside in my bathrobe and bare feet. That wouldn't have been a problem in the summer, but it was January and a mere 18 degrees outside! Oh, my goodness, was it ever cold out! But there was no time to waste. I ran to the end of the driveway, snapped several pictures, stood to admire the view for a few more seconds, then quickly ran back inside hoping to avoid frostbite. It wasn't until I was safely back in the house that I realized I had made a major mistake, one worthy of a rooky photographer (which I am). I was so consumed with capturing the beautiful colors, I paid no attention to the fact that there was a telephone pole and multiple wires in the shot, obstructing the view. By the time I realized what I had done, the orange, purple, blue, yellow and pink hues that were absolutely gorgeous just a few minutes before had all but disappeared, leaving the sky its typical New York gray.

I tried to enlarge the photo enough so that those ugly lines across the page didn't detract from the

beauty of the sunrise. Oh, the wires were no longer visible, but I was left with a blurry, distorted

version of God's handiwork--not exactly what I had hoped for.

Isn't it a shame that so often in life we get stuck simply because we can't see past the obstacles blocking the path ahead? Sometimes we even try to cover them up. We might even know that what waits on the other side of that obstruction is incredible. But instead of waiting for God's instructions and acting in faith, we simply give up and settle for less than His best. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of doing that. I say let's start acting like the people of faith we claim to be. Let's be more like Moses. When he and the nation of Israel were caught smack dab in the middle between the massive Egyptian army and the Red Sea, he didn't give up. He didn't give in. Instead, he simply trusted God. And why? Because God had proven Himself faithful over and over again. So, Moses told the people, "Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm." In his humanness, Moses had no way of knowing how God would do that. But he looked right past the huge obstacle in his path and simply trusted the Lord to provide a way out. And He did!

My friend, if you're reading this, then God still has a plan for your life. Take some time today and remember those moments when He showed Himself faithful to you--the times He healed you, the times He protected you, the times He showered you with mercy and grace when you didn't deserve it. Then ask yourself what's really in your way. It's time to stop letting the obstacles in your path immobilize you or block your vision. So, go write that book! Go after that new job! Go back to school! Start that nonprofit! Chase that God-given dream, dear one! Rest assured He's got your back. "Don't be afraid ... The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."