3 Foot Tall Lessons: This Way That Way

Lately, Kaleb has been getting a new sense of purpose and power in his life. He has become very convinced that his way is the best way. One of my favorite ways that this plays out is when we are driving in the car. He has developed a game that I like to call "This Way That Way." You might guess how the game works but allow me to explain just for clarity. We will be driving home and when he decides to play, I often get off the exit one community North of our house because its a retirement community and there are generally a lot of empty streets at night. From that point he just directs the car by making statements "This Way (sounds more like dis way)" or "That Way (dat way)," and then we drive through the winding streets until we are very lost or at least deep into the community. Check out the map above to see the way the roads in Sun City wind their way around. That is really unusual for our community which is made up of mostly north and south or east and west streets. And as we drive and I allow him to exercise his free will, he gets more confident and convicted that his way is the best way. So if I go the wrong way, he definitely lets me know about it. Of course all the while I know where we are and I am not about to get lost, he gets to exercise his ability to choose and I love it!

Now for the parallel. This reminds me so much of the "free will" that God gives us. We often times ask God what He wants for our life and then we direct him with specific commands as to where we want to go. And the more confident that we get, the more demanding we often become. We ask God for His will in our life, but then we He exercises it, we get frustrated and start yelling "DIS WAY!!!"

This is what I know. Kaleb is too young to know how to get home, especially when we are deep into the winding streets of Sun City. I also know that I always know how to get us to our destination. Every once in a while, Kaleb says "Dat Way" and that way is a field without a road. So as a protective dad, I don't give in and go off-roading in my little Toyota Corolla! I wonder how many times God keeps me from going that way in my life when he knows the road is too rough and it won't get me to where He wants me to go?

In the end, I usually have to take over the control of the game and exercise my "daddy powers" and go home even if Kaleb isn't happy with me. I believe that is how God at times exercises His Power over our free will. Sometimes though we beg to go "dis way," God simply usurps us and takes us where He knows to be best.

Isaiah 55.8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts. "

Just my Thoughts!

Be His!