I paid $100 to purchase a car in my teen years.  No, that’s not a typo.  It truly cost me $100, and it was worth every penny of it.  It was a very used 1960 Plymouth Fury that had lost its passion.

It was a peculiar car, having a bar graph for a speedometer and a pushbutton gear selector.  It was also a car with a scenic view.  The floorboards were rusted through allowing me to watch the street pass beneath me.   I could empathize with Fred Flintstone. 

At one point, the car developed an annoying problem.  Each time I made a left turn, the engine would die – every single left turn without exception.  Fortunately, the car would start right up again, but it just wouldn’t tolerate a left turn.   Which was OK if my destination could be reached by right turns only. 

I was doomed to perpetually drive around the block!

I wonder if this might sound familiar to you. 

Sometimes life can feel like a circular rut – like a perpetual cruise around the block!  We may be moving, but we don’t seem to get anywhere. 

Some perceive it in their finances.  They live hand to mouth – one bill is paid, and another quickly replaces it.  They just can’t break the cycle and get ahead.

Some experience it in their marriage.  Toxic habits perpetuate the hurt and unhappiness.

Some see it at the job.  There just doesn’t seem to be a path ahead – just more mind-numbing routine.

This is not the way the Lord would have us to live.  In fact, He provided clear instruction on how to get off the hamster wheel of woe.

Solomon recorded God’s words in Proverbs 3:5 & 6. He wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.”

The author implies that most of our difficulties are of our own making.  The life choices we make may be skewed by our lusts, our fears, our insecurities and maybe our pride.   Objectivity and wisdom are lost in the mix. 

The better way to live is to trust in the Lord, all the way – with all our hearts.   It is to use our brains for sure, but to ultimately rely on the wisdom of God, and not our own understanding. 

For instance, it doesn’t make human sense to give when my needs are so great, and yet God says I should, so I will. 

He goes on to say, “Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight (vs. 6).   The word “all” is used again.  We need to acknowledge Him in every way – the way we think, the way we live, and the decisions we make. 

As we learn to do this, God promises to move us from circular insanity to a straight path which is permeated with purpose.  It will move us forward in a healthy way.

Travel in Solomon’s day took place over narrow paths that snaked in and around the hill country.    At times the path would be washed out or blocked by debris.   The traveler might need to backtrack to find a way around. 

But when King Solomon traveled, he would be proceeded by servants who would clear and repair the road so that the King’s travel would easy, direct, and unobstructed. They made his path straight. 

God promises to go before and clear the way for those who ultimately rely on His understanding of life.  This person studies the Word of God, and implements it in their finances, marriage, their work and parenting – and in every way.

What results is progress which is purposeful and meaningful – a path much easier and more direct than the one we are on now. 

My dad and I replaced the float in the carburetor of my car which liberated me from my silly circular cycle.  I am hoping that God does the same for us and much more!

A PRAYER: Lord, help me break free, to follow a straight path.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture passages are from the NETBible.com ®