Here I sit at a crossroads in my life, idling in an intersection of decision, the signal before me glaring ruby red. Looking in my rearview mirror, I see my well-traveled, familiar path. It brings me a sense of comfort, but the streets are lined with grief.

Traffic moves around me as the light cycles in a methodical sequence, while I remain stationary. The road directly ahead seems concealed, unsettling, and a little risky. I began to appreciate the beauty of an intersection with its emergency escape routes to the left and to the right.

“What are you doing?” asked the Lord, interrupting my potential course of action. “You cannot flee from My presence, no matter which route you take.”

Fully aware of Jesus’ supreme power and authority, my flesh still rebelled, over-ruling any commonsense and spurred on by fear.

“Turning left is very appealing at this moment.” I responded with a small degree of sarcasm.

The attitude I was exhibiting quickly halted as Lord Jehovah, the Spirit of Life, took my hand, interlocking our fingers, squeezing once – and then twice. I felt my fear dissolving in the presence of Jesus’ perfect Love.

“You have an assigned purpose and plan, but it is down that road in front of you.” said the Lord. “Turning left or turning right will only delay the inevitable and cause a skirmish between your will and Mine.”

“I do not know how to do this, Lord.” I said, with an honest and now humbled heart.

“How this will happen is of no concern to you.” said the Lord. “I have already traveled down this path, ahead of you. Everything is prepared and waiting for your feet to hit the ground running. I have you hemmed-in, ahead and behind, guiding and establishing your steps, working everything to its proper end. The only wrong step is no step at all.”

My thoughts were racing as I stared at the narrow road ahead, the escape routes provoking me from both sides while flashes from my past streamed in the mirror.

“All paths eventually lead to Me, so the destination point is the same no matter your decision. But your choices will determine the length and enjoyment of your journey. Commit your decision to Me, for I am the Way that will lead to Life enriched with promise and blessing, no matter the hardships you encounter.”

The Truth of His Words broke my fixation. Glancing over at Jesus, I found Him gazing at me with eyes of adoration. I felt the transfer of my Savior’s courage as He squeezed my hand for the third time.

“The light is green. Which way will you go?”

Comforted by Daniel 2:47; Psalm 23:2-3, 95:3, 139:1-18; Matthew 7:13-14; John 1:1-18, 14:6; Romans 8:2; Isaiah 12:2; Jonah 1 & 2; Joshua 1:1-3; Proverbs 16:3-4, 9; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 4:18.

The warning center sounded the alarm – a tsunami of grief was barreling toward the shoreline of my heart, generated by a disturbance, and driven by a powerful force. Apprehended by the undertow, I was dragged into open sea and pulled down into dark waters. My lifeless body hung in suspension while my mind bore witness to the silence within the aloneness.

My senses were disrupted as a shaft of light split the darkness and a sound penetrated the stillness, traveling upon the waters like a melodious lullaby.

The ballad attuned to my heart and called me by name, pulling my body to the surface, where I recognized my Savior’s voice singing over me.

“Come back to Me.” the Lord whispered in my ear as He cradled my limp body in his arms.

The spoken Words of Jesus awakened my spirit, my body aware of the betraying sand eroding from beneath me with every crashing wave on the shores of my heart.

“Peace. Be still.” spoke Jesus, Son of the Most High God.

The wind immediately ceased and there was a great calm, across the earth’s atmosphere and over the influences in my heart. My words escaped me, but the Lord answered my thoughts.

“I am here.” Jesus said, rocking me back and forth in His arms. “I will hold you as long as it takes. I will not leave you.”

Exhaling, I felt pain and grief leave my body as the Lord continued to speak Life over me.

“My delight in you is profound. You have set your love upon Me, acknowledging My name, and capturing My heart. I am your Mighty Warrior who will come to your rescue and protect you, remaining by your side throughout your troubles. All souls are mine: the soul of every living thing and the breath of all mankind lies in My hand. I will replenish and satisfy your longing soul with excessive goodness. Rest in My arms as I restore you.”

Comforted by Job 12:10; Psalm 23:3, 91:14-15, 107:9; Jeremiah 31:25; Ezekiel 18:4; Mark 4:39, 10:13-16; Hebrews 4:12, 13:5; Psalm 18:16 & 19, 29:3; Zephaniah 3:17; John 6:63, 20:11-18; Matthew 18:12-13

The sky was dark with the absence of the moon, a single star emerging on its vast canvas of space, twinkling to a tempo in silent rhythm. My existence felt tiny as more stars began to show their faces across the firmament. I shivered as the night chill settled upon my skin. The rawness cut through me, but my heart was numb to sensation.

The sounds of nature grew silent as my Savior appeared on the scene. His voice commanding, but yet soft toward me.

“What are you searching for among the stars?” asked the Lord.

Glancing over at Jesus, I trembled at His glory as He admired the stars as if for the first time. Unable to form my words, the Lord quietly took my hand and gently squeezed my fingers.

“Speak your heart to Me.” Jesus said, softly kissing the back of my hand.

Put at ease by His Love, my confession poured out like water. “Everything seems just out of reach, Lord. I see potential shining in the distance which lures me close, but my heart holds back, unable to trust the outcomes.”

Placing His arm around my shoulders, Jesus directed my attention back to the heavens.

“Those stars are the work of My fingers. I created the energy that fuels them and ordained their existence, each one named and numbered by Me. But My greatest work is being done in you.”

Looking away, feeling a tinge of shame, I replied. “Life has wounded and splintered my heart. I fear that sliver has turned to dust, broken beyond repair.”

Jesus pulled me close, whispering in my ear. “Is anything too hard for Me?”

I could feel the warmth of Jesus’ breath on my neck as He spoke. My legs went weak, realizing that same breath spoke the world into existence. The God of the universe was concerned with a fragmented piece of my heart. Again, I felt tiny; but somehow, highly valued.

“I am the Lord of Hosts who creates from nothing, to whom the whole host of heavens and earth must obey. When I call unto them, they stand up together. Every cell, atom, and molecule will execute upon the sound of My voice and the power of My Words. I will gather you into My arms as I command each particle of dust from your splintered heart to become whole. Keep your heart fixed on Me as you take hold of the hope set before you. It may seem just out of reach, but I have prepared unimaginable things for you, which you will not understand. Abounding hope is alive with Me because I am the anchor of your soul and the keeper of your heart.”

Comforted by Hebrews 6:19, 12:2; Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:3; Luke 12:7; Proverbs 31:10; Psalm 8:3, 147:3-4; Isaiah 48:13; 1 Corinthians 2:9