Gone Astray

I'll help the blind walk, even on a road they do not know; I'll guide them in directions they do not know. I'll turn the dark places into light in front of them, and the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I won't abandon them. ~ Isaiah 42:16, ISV

There are times in life when we go astray and find ourselves hopelessly lost.  

Sometimes, it's physically. I'm what's commonly known in the politically correct arena as 'directionally challenged.' In my younger days, I had a fantastic sense of direction, but those days disappeared along with my flat belly, smooth skin and natural hair color. My favorite traveling companion these days is my Magellan GPS, or Maggie, as she is fondly referred to by me. Although there are days when, thinking I know a BETTER way and don't need her, I give Maggie a run for her money and wind up far from my destination. If it's possible to give an electronic device a nervous breakdown, I'll be the one to do it.

Other times, we may find ourselves lost relationally. What I mean by this is we may find ourselves in a dark and hopeless place in a relationship with someone -- like an exclusive love relationship, a marriage or even a close friendship -- a place where we never intended to go and haven't any idea as to how we arrived there. Or how we'll find our way back. 

And sometimes, we lose our way spiritually. In our walk with our Lord, we choose a wrong path. We subtly veer to the left when we should be moving to the right, and suddenly, we find ourselves quite a distance away from where we need to be with Him. We're out of God's will. We feel scared. We feel disoriented. We feel alone. 


I've been in that place. Actually, as recently as two weeks ago. It's not a pretty place. What are we to do? How do we find our way back? 

ASK for help. That's right, it's as simple as that. 

Have you lost your way? Your purpose? Your strength? Your peace? 

Do you feel as if you've lost your place in God's will and in His family?

Take heart, dear ones. Cry out to the Lord and ask Him to help you. He hasn't moved. He's right there with us. We've just lost sight of Him. He's waiting to guide us back to the right path, the one that leads back to Him. 

He is the Finder of the lost:

lost sheep

lost people

lost minds

lost souls

He has everything we need. If only we would just ask.

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands. ~ Psalm 119:176

I Have Gone Astray, by Darlene Slavujac Thau

And then....listen. He will answer.  


Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left. ~ Isaiah 30:21, NASB

It's my hope that the words and music from this beautiful song by Sidewalk Prophets will encourage, strengthen and comfort you, wherever you are right now.