#183: Prepare the Way

Solomon accomplished something great, but he did not do it alone.

2 Chronicles 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.

The way was prepared for him; others prepared materials for him, others were involved in the construction of the temple, and traveled with him throughout the entire process. The help and presence of others ensured the completion of the project. He, in turn, also prepared the way for others in how he led others to serve and worship the Lord.

Matthew 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

John the Baptist had a very important job. He found others and encouraged them to be prepared to learn about the Lord and His purpose. God used John in a very special way to achieve the desired results. John the Baptist was used for a purpose the prepare the way for someone else.

We prepare gardens for growth. We prepare food for a meal. But how do we prepare the way for someone to walk through this life and to ensure safe arrival. During my conversation with the Lord, I clearly saw that I need someone to walk through life’s difficult roads with me. I need a co-driver that helps prepare the way so that I arrive safely. Not all roads through life are straight, and not all roads are smooth, and some are quite terrifying.

My sister just spent some time in Ecuador. She wrote about her experience, and I fell in love with her story. The Lord used it to bring great clarity to a real and present situation that I was facing.

Based on her description, the roads in Ecuador do not guarantee a smooth and easy arrival. She explained that road rules there are more like suggestions. Rain, dense fog, winding mountain road with blind corners, unavoidable car-eating potholes, washed out roads, dogs and obstacles, and unmarked speed bumps make for a very challenging and stressful trip.

My sister was not alone on her treacherous trip. She had a partner, a co-driver, to help her survive and navigate the difficult decisions.

Just recently, my life took me down an unpredictable and difficult road. I was stuck in a pothole of confusion, sorrow, fear, and desolation. I felt completely alone. I had no idea how to navigate this situation in my life and I was lost and terrified. In this state, I needed to reach out for a travel partner, a co-driver, to help me navigate this road. This was hard, as I did not want to burden anyone with my difficult road. But God used my sister’s situation to teach me something. I needed a co-driver. I needed someone to prepare the way so that I would arrive safely.

In my situation, the only one that could help me through this road was my husband. God helped me turn to him. I trusted him to help me navigate my safe arrival to the other side of my confusion and fear. He prepared the way for me. He did not go before me to take away my pain or to make my road smooth. He prepared the way by traveling along and offering navigation, support, help, and kindness. Once I allowed him to join me, the path ahead no longer seemed so scary and uncertain. He helped me to understand what I was feeling. He saw things that I did not see. He provided his perspective. He helped me see where I was wrong. He helped me to navigate and move forward.

During my journey with my husband, I noticed (just as my sister did) that how we behaved as partners during this stressful trip had an impact on our safe arrival.

Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 2:12, 13-15 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:

During my sister’s trip she recognized that discretion is key. She mentioned that it can be easy to get angry when your co-driver points out something obvious or speaks a little too loudly. It can be frustrating when he wants you to take chances that you are not comfortable with. Or correct you when you are going in the wrong direction. She said that she and her passenger were in it together. They acknowledged that successful arrival at their destination was dependent upon them working together. Most importantly, both driver and co-driver had to leave ego on the side of the road and trust each other to make it through. They were kind to each other, and they decided to be grateful for each other’s help.

During my journey with my husband, we needed to exercise the same discretion with each other. We could not get frustrated and loose our temper as we navigated this difficult road. We had to be patient with each other and choose our words wisely to help each other navigate. We had to trust each other. We needed the Lord to be present, and the Lord provided me with knowledge and understanding through my willingness to listen to my co-driver, my husband.

Psalm 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

A willingness to be instructed is critical for success. My sister would not have arrived at her destination peacefully if she had resisted the instruction from her co-driver. I would not have been able to travel my road if I had not decided to trust and receive instruction from my husband. I simply would not have been able to navigate and survive.

Now that I have passed through my difficult road, I know that I was never all alone. Jesus was there with me the entire way. Jesus is my eternal travel partner. He is the perfect guide.

Matthew 4:19-20 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

While Jesus is always with me, life and difficulty might dull my sensitivity to Him. Jesus has wonderfully provided me with a co-driver so that I can better hear His instruction and wisdom. Without my co-driver, the words of the Lord might have been muffled and muted by my fears.

Life is difficult; you must have someone to help you navigate. You do not need to travel alone. My sister noted that you must be a good follower and listen. You must take their guidance and warning even if you do not see the threat. You must be alert and care enough to speak up. You must be willing to give guidance, direction, and correction. You must be willing to receive instruction and warnings. If you both prepare the way, if you are both kind, if you both are trusting, if you are grateful for each other’s help, you both will arrive safely.

2 Chronicles 7-8
Psalms 2
Proverbs 2
Matthew 3-4

Have a face to face conversation with your Lord:

Lord, in difficult times, who is my co-driver?

Lord, In difficult times, do I exercise discretion by being willing to receive instruction?

Lord, how can I help someone that is going through a difficult time, sho should I reach out to and offer to prepare the way?

Lord, thank you for being with me during difficult times. Thank you for sending me a co-driver to help prepare my way so that I arrive safely.

If you are interested in having a collection of these devotional conversations, consider purchasing the devotional book, Conversations: Face to Face with Your Lord Book 1 or Conversations: Face to Face with Your Lord Book 2. Book 3 is coming soon! They are available from Amazon by clicking on the titles above.