CROOKED & STRAIGHT PATHS
Remember the days before GPS – before the best route available was planned out for you, and you were guided by a voice telling you the path to take?
When I was a young girl on trips with my parents, I loved being the co-pilot, sitting next to my dad, following the route on the paper map, and giving him directions as we drove.
Maps and routes fascinate me – they always have. I always want to know which way takes the least time, then I compare it with the most scenic, and decide which route is best to take. I might not mind the sense of control it gives if I’m entirely honest with myself. Interestingly, I have a compass tattoo on my arm, reminding me of His leading and direction in my life.
For the last two or so years, God has highlighted Isaiah 45:2 to me: “I will go before you and make the crooked places straight…”Anything seemingly crooked in my life, I spoke to, filled with faith that “every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth.” (Isaiah 40:2) Countless times, I’ve stood immovable on those verses, declaring it over my life and the paths before me, especially when the paths have seemed particularly rough.
Then recently, I was brought up short when I read Ecclesiastes 7:13, “Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked?” and it pointed me back to Ecclesiastes 1:15, “What is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is lacking cannot be numbered.”Ummmm...I thought God was in the straightening business, not making crooked?
Have you ever had a moment when what you’d firmly believed about God was brought into question, and it didn’t make sense? It was one of those moments for me.
But having experienced moments like this before, I viewed it as an opportunity for a conversation with Him.
“God, do you REALLY intentionally make paths crooked before us? You’re a good God. Why would you make something irrevocably crooked with no ability to straighten it?”
What did I hear in return?
“Who defined crooked as ‘bad'?”
I sat with that and thought it through logically. Instantly, I shot back in my memory to high school geometry – “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.” Then, in my mind, I had a bird’s-eye view of the top of a tree-filled mountain and saw a starting and ending point. The problem was that it was impossible to travel in a straight line to get from one point to the other.
A crooked path around was required.
I began to think of the times on trips when Brian and I had chosen slower, winding paths because of the beauty we’d see and the adventure we’d find, and my perspective of crooked paths began to change.
What if God intentionally made some paths crooked for our benefit?
It’s not as easy or smooth as the straight path. It requires more of us, and may even mean letting go of certain things, including control and what seems most logical. While it may take longer, what we experience and who we become along the way are gifts from our loving Father, given on the crooked path.
This realization led me to consider the difference between paths crooked by man that God straightens, and paths crooked by God’s hand that can’t be made straight.
There’s great comfort in knowing that when I’ve messed up a path, He can fix it.
There’s great trust required in embracing my inability to straighten a path He’s made crooked.
Ecclesiastes 7:13 begins with, “consider the work of God…” When you look it up in Strong’s Concordance, “consider”1 means to see, look upon, or discern. When I look on crooked paths set before me, what do I see and discern? Can I see His greater plan? Can I trust Him in knowing He is good and loving and that what lies before me on the crooked path is an unexpected adventure that will grow me, even in its challenges, and I’ll see great beauty along the route?
So, how do we find our way on the straight or crooked path, orient ourselves, and navigate? He’s told us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) That’s our Holy Spirit GPS voice leading us.
I still believe “Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth.” (Luke 3:5)
I’m also now content in and excited about the crooked paths. This new understanding has given me a lot of peace when I look back on times when I questioned God’s goodness. I see His lovingkindness in having me take rough roads that were far from smooth, and I’m grateful for who I have become along the way.
What is God speaking to you about the path you’re currently on or the one set before you in a new season? If we can pray for you as you “travel,” please reach out!
Living for Him,
Andrea (& Brian)
Endnotes:
- “Consider.” e-Sword, version 2024, Rick Meyers, 2024. Ecclesiastes 7:13
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
TUESDAY TIDBIT: I'VE DISCOVERED A SECRET . . . This is an oil I've really needed lately. I actually started this post on September 27th to send it out that day and am just now getting it out to you. Our son had a 5 day hospital stay (and is totally fine now) and life has remained very "full" since then with lots of transition happening in our lives. It's a GREAT time to Surrender! Sometimes, that's hardest to do at night.
Are you like me? Do you put your head on your pillow and despite your body being VERY ready for bed, your mind decides to solve all the problems of the world and strategize every solution available to mankind?
This little bottle makes a world of difference for me at bedtime and it may do the same for you - SURRENDER! Apply it to the outside of your ears at bedtime and you'll realize your mind has been quieted from thinking through the million things that have transpired during your day.
Why the outside of your ears? Our body has over 1500 vitaflex points. A number of ones related to our emotions are found on the outer ears making that a perfect spot to apply Surrender. (PSA: NEVER put oils INTO your ears!)
When you're well-rested, you're better able to face whatever may come your way on any given day. Surrender your day at the end of the day and rest well!
WHEN THERE'S MORE YOU'RE HANGING ONTO . . . RELEASE!Sometimes it can seem like tapes are on repeat in your mind, playing the same words over and over and over. You want to let go, but it feels like you can't. That's especially true when past trauma has been triggered.
Apply Release over your liver or heart. Our livers store anger and when Release is applied there or over your heart where you feel lots of emotions, it will help you release what you've been hanging onto, giving you a greater sense of peace and balance within,
Fair warning . . . don't be surprised if you cry after using it. Tears are signs of release and they can be very healthy!
BUH-BYE NEGATIVITY!When you're surrounded by negativity or fighting feeling negative yourself, it's hard to have a sense of safety and security in your internal world.
Apply White Angelica in your belly button, over your heart, or on your shoulders, or diffuse it.
Positive outlooks in life are a really valuable thing!
SHOPPING MADE EASY . . .
I've created a wishlist for "Letting Go" and wanted to share it with you. These three are included, along with a few other favorite, must-haves of mine, and a couple of collection suggestions.
Honestly? There are SO many oils I could have included. Did you know if you use the search bar in your virtual office, you can search for emotions or anything else you want suggestions for and any related product support will come up? That was a new tip I learned this week!
HOLIDAY WEEK IS COMING!!!
Surprise and delight is coming from Young Living for the holiday season!
Save the date!
Starting October 17th we'll see bundles, stocking stuffers,
and more from Young Living for the holidays!
BAKERY TREATS WITHOUT THE CALORIES!Bring the warm, inviting feeling of freshly baked treats to your space with this diffuser blend!
This is also a great blend to support your emotions and immune system!
Thank you for your patience with me these last couple of weeks! I'd love to hear how these suggestions have helped you, so please send me a message and let me know!Happy Oiling!
Andrea
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
Tuesday Tidbit: Got Energy?
Hey, friends! We all lead busy lives and need energy to get "all the things" done each day. Plus, with the holidays coming soon, we all want to be functioning at optimal levels!
This week, I wanted to share with you my 3 go-to's that I've discovered make all the difference for me in my day.
WHY are they so awesome? They support the health of my thyroid and adrenals, as well as the B-Vitamin levels in my body, and so much more.
Each of these contributes to living life well and to the fullest!
SUPER B: It does a body GOOD!!!!
I don't know about you, but my body loves B vitamins! I take a lot of YL's supplements, but this one has always been my favorite because I can noticeably feel the difference it makes in my body!
Super B™ contains all eight B vitamins and bioavailable chelated minerals to help you maintain healthy energy levels, support cardiovascular and cognitive function, and ease feelings of everyday stress.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Show Your Adrenals Some Love:
It's alarming in our fast-paced world how often I'm hearing people say they have adrenal fatigue and all the symptoms that go with it. Focusing on being proactive in supporting our health is FAR better than being faced with having to react to dis-ease in our bodies!
This roller blend is fantastic for promoting adrenal health! Apply it on your adrenals in the morning and again mid-afternoon if you feel like you need the extra boost in your day.
Happy Thyroid, Happy YOU!
This roller blend....WOW!
I had no idea how GOOD I could feel until I started supporting my thyroid health by using this roller combo 2-3 times each day - first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon, and if I felt like I needed it another time or two during the day, especially around the time of my monthly cycle.
Try it and let me know the difference it makes for you!
SHOPPING MADE EASY . . .
I've created a wishlist for Endocrine Support and wanted to share it with you.
Everything mentioned above is in the wishlist. You can choose the products you want from it, build your own list, and can purchase the ones you want over time.
I would LOVE to hear the difference these suggestions make for you! Cheers to feeling GOOD and ENERGIZED!Happy Oiling!
Andrea
Our Mission: Love Others Well & Empower Them to Do the Same
