Riding The Metro

Dr. Marshall M. Windsor

Several years ago, we made our first exciting trip to the Washington D.C. area. In riding the Metro train from Manassas into the city on our first morning there, we rode in seats facing backwards, so the entire trip was viewed from a “where we've been” perspective. In walking all over the Washington Mall area, we became a bit disoriented but still made it back to the right Metro train for our return ride home. The problem came as we began to pull out - the train was going backwards once again. For a moment I thought that we were on the wrong train—and I began to panic! 

Then I thought the train needed to go farther into town before turning around and heading back to where I thought we needed to go. But in reality we had taken seats that were exactly opposite of the seats we sat in while coming into town, and even though we were traveling backwards, we were still heading in the right direction. Even though it did not feel right – it was right, because the Metro operators were operating their trains according to their standards. As I look back on this experience, I smile and imagine how hilarious this sounds to someone who has grown up in any city that has a rail system of transportation!

Ironically, our Christian walk can seem like we’re going in the wrong direction even though God may just want us to gain a different, "where we've been," perspective. Things don’t look right or feel right, but you sense God’s leading nonetheless. When these times of uncertainty happen, there are three key ways we can work to gain God’s perspective in the differing situations we find ourselves in:

1. Prayer – It is wonderful to know that God will always hear our prayers. In Isaiah 65:24, God says: “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear” (ESV). Even before we seek God in prayer, He is working on our behalf! Communicating with our heavenly Father is the surest way for us to find true direction and peace for our lives. Each one of us should have some time every day to spend with God in prayer.
2. Scripture = The Psalmist told us in Psalm 119:105 that “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (NIV). As a Christian, our walk often involves faith in God’s Word because our feelings will deceive us. God’s Word must be our standard, helping us hold fast to the “best” way. 
3. Godly Friends = The wisest man who ever lived, king Solomon, told us in Proverbs 11:14, “Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances” (The Message). Sometimes we get so consumed with a matter, we lose sight of other important issues. Gleaning wisdom from others inside and outside our realm of influence will only enhance our understanding.

In the face of difficulty or uncertainty, we can hold daily to God’s promises by: seeking Him in prayer, meditating upon His Word, and seeking wise counsel. Just because our situations may not look right or feel right, that does not mean we have drifted from God’s will for our lives. God is a promise keeper and His Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). Although the promises of God sometimes tarry, we must wait for them. God is working in the hearts and lives of loved ones for His divine purposes, and delights in seeing his children succeed – not fail.

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!

No matter who you are, after a time you will cross paths with folks who are less than honest. Some people are downright liars. So what should we do in these types of situations? As one veteran evangelist told me once: “Marshall, you always take the high road.” He meant that we must not allow others who are dishonest and hurtful to bring us down to their level of character. When you run into folks like this, you just have to move on and leave them behind. Their lack of character and integrity will catch up with them, but our responsibility is to pray for them and leave them in God’s hand. He is the judge and he alone knows what can bring them back to a right relationship with Him.

I must admit that I struggled with this aspect of ministry when we first started. I thought that we would have a wonderful time ministering to God’s people and have some great fellowship with the church leaders. But through the years, I have discovered that this is not always the case. The local church isn’t full of perfect people or perfect leaders—we’re all striving to do our best to pay our bills, raise any children we may have, share the love of Jesus Christ the best way we know how, and make it to heaven when Jesus calls to take us home.

When those people you respect or who are in leadership hurt you, the only option we have is to take the hurt of betrayal to the cross. God has called you and I to be men and women of prayer, because it is in God’s presence where mountains are moved, people are changed, and healing takes place. So whatever you have to walk through along your life’s journey, Jesus Christ will walk through it with you if you let him. I pray that you will, if you haven’t already, experience the realization of his nearness—because it will change the way you live your life. 

Be blessed,
Marshall