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.