Trail Tract #1 - Lost Trail by Elwin Wines
Riding high
country mountain trails calls for a few unique skills, among them a
good sense of direction, which I don't have, so I carry a good map and
compass. My wife and son are highly gifted with an internal compass, but I'll get turned around
driving out of a parking lot. I declare, you can take my son out in a boat in the middle of
the Pacific in a dense fog, blindfold him, spin him around a dozen times,
and he'll point and say, "Astoria is that way." Set your compass by it because his finger will take you straight
to harbor.
I've had several occasions in which I have gotten my directions mixed up and have had to rely on my horse to get me out. One time in particular I was riding a narrow, unfamiliar trail which topped out on a fairly open ridge. I reined ol' Midas left and rode on. It soon became evident that the ridge was going nowhere, so turned around to head back to camp. We were pretty well walled in by brush on both sides, but at one point Midas tried to turn into that solid wall of brush. I straightened him out and rode on. The ridge ended in a drop-off, so I knew I'd somehow passed the trail to camp. Turning around I rode back, and again at the same spot Midas tried to make a turn into the brush. I again straightened him out and rode on.
Three times this happened, and surely I am smarter than the dumb horse. There is NO trail in that spot. I'm not blind!! Well, the 4th time I decided to let Midas make a fool of himself. Sure enough, he turned at that same blind spot, stuck his nose through the brush, and there was the trail. Now who looked foolish?
Life is frequently like that. We get so independently sure of ourselves, living a sinful lifestyle, making our own plans, only to get a flat face from running into dead ends. The heart that is keenly tuned to hearing the "still, small voice" of the Lord saying, "This is the way; walk in it " (Is. 30-:21), would avoid so much heartache. God doesn't jerk us around and force us into His path of righteousness, but often lets us discover how lost we are, unable to extricate ourselves, until we become willing to turn to Him for direction.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life," (John 14:6). Friend, relax the reins and let Jesus show you the way. Perhaps this short prayer will set you homeward: "Lord Jesus, I've pretty well taken charge of myself only to run out of trail. Forgive me my sinful ways and lead me in your paths of righteousness. I invite you into my life as my Savior and Lord. Thank you. Amen."
If this is your prayer, contact us at C.T.R.F. so we can rejoice with you. "Praise the Lord!!"
