U Turn

 One of the things I do for exercise is walking. I enjoy the solace of time to commune with God and to ponder. I get lost in my thoughts step after step. Sometimes I get brought back to reality when facing a steep climb uphill.

A few days ago I faced such a hill. A steep long hill I've trudged up numerous times. On this occasion, I decided to put my head down and focus on the steps in front of me instead the far off peak. I can't say what made me look up. When I did, I found a surprise on the road a few steps in front. On that cool brisk morning, a snake lay stretched out in the middle of the road. I stopped in my tracks. 

At first, I thought the snake was dead. That it had been run over by a car. Upon closer examination I determined the snake had not been crushed. Then, it dawned on me. The snake was warming itself in the sun on the road. I estimate the snake to have been four to five feet in length. I could not tell what type of snake it was. We did not exchange pleasantries. My initial thought was to try to step past it to the side. My second thought was what a bad idea that probably would be. I had no stick or rock to persuade the snake to get out of my path. Finally, I settled on the decision to make a U turn and backtrack charting a new course than I originally intended. 

I mused on this incident for much of the remainder of the walk. I could have just as easily kept my head down while traversing that hill and never seen the snake until I walked right on it. It made me think how many times God warns us about our course. He warns us we are on a dangerous path. He warns us to prevent pain and suffering. If we heed the warning, we repent and make U turns. If we ignore His warnings, we usually end up making a mess of things. 

U turns in life are needed spiritually speaking. I thank God for the numerous times God warned me, shut doors, and called me to turn around. He did this while dating. I dated one girl for five years and had every intention of marrying her. She was younger than me and decided to go to a different college after high school than I attended. We decided to date other people. That was a hard U turn but that is when God brought Brenda into my life. The other girl was also a Christian, kind, loving and sweet. She was not my soul mate. Brenda is the perfect compliment for me. I love and admire her more than I can ever put into words. 

On another occasion, I accepted a call to a church. We commuted back and forth waiting for the end of school before we moved. I later learned Brenda had reservations. The church was an urban inner city church. 80% of the crime in that city happened within a few blocks of the church. That appealed to my adventurous running toward risk. We fell in love with the people. They did some of the most innovative outreach things I have ever seen in a church.  Over the course of those months of commuting on the weekends, we learned that the church had some theological beliefs we could not support. Brenda and really loved those people. They made a deep impression on us. After three months, we knew we had to make a U turn. I could not support some of their beliefs and knew our staying there would only cause pain. It was difficult to meet with the leadership on a Saturday night to inform them and then to resign the following Sunday morning. It was painful, but Brenda and I left their with peace we did the right thing. The church felt so hurt they did not even want me to come back for two more Sundays. I understood. The U turn was providential in that God opened the door for Spring Creek later. 

I thank God for the U turns in my life. I am sure you do as well. I thank Him for His words of warning motivated by a heart of love and our well being. 

The United States of America needs a U turn. Back to God. Back to the Bible and away from backsliding. . Back to church and away from communist politicians. Back to holiness and away from Hollywood. Back to Jehovah and away from Jihad. Back to Jesus and away from the jeopardy of sin. Back to revival and away from running toward evil. America needs a U turn. Away from abortion. Away from homosexuality. Away from socialism. Away from pedophilia. Away from corruption. Away from lies and deceit. Away from empty promises that hold no water. Away from secularism. America we need a U turn. If we do not heed His warning, we are headed for more pain and devastation.