Broken Roads
After many years of being a fan of folk and rock music, I have recently begun to enjoy country music as well. The lyrics are what I love about country songs — they always grip me and pull me in. One of my favorite country groups is Rascal Flatts. The song that made me fall in love with this band is “Bless the Broken Road.”
This beautiful song chronicles the many different paths a man takes in various relationships, seeking his one true love. As he reflects upon the many broken roads he has taken in his quest, he realizes that God blessed each one. He just lived his life, taking paths that seemed right at the time, but they broke along the way. In hindsight he sees that as he continued to wind and turn, each broken path ultimately led him straight to the person meant for him.
Life is like that in so many ways. There is no crystal ball we can peek into telling us the right choices and best roads to take that will bring us fulfillment at each juncture. We only know what we know at the time, and we seek the best choice based upon our truth. My mother used to say, “We really don’t know what we don’t know.” She was right. As we grow in knowledge and understanding of the things of the world, and of God, we slowly evolve and develop.
We all come to God and faith in a different way. Each of us has a life experience that takes us on unique paths filled with many “broken roads” as the song reminds. The beauty of reflection affords us the high view to see that God uses all of it to bring us closer to Him. He uses all the poor decisions, worst mistakes, most embarrassing moments and shameful choices. He knows that the more broken roads we encounter, the closer we are to finding Him.
Proverbs 16:9 speaks to my heart, “A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” In His wisdom, God allows us the freedom to plan our way and choose our paths, but He will ultimately direct all those roads to a place where we can see Him and hear His voice. During our searching, God will ultimately be found, despite the many roads we take on our journey.
Jeremiah 29:13 proclaims, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.” To all those along a broken road, embrace hope. God will bless this experience and gently use it. In His perfect timing, He will draw you close to Him as you wind through paths that are necessary for you. When you finally find God and embrace His peace, you will realize it was all worth it — every path and broken road that led you straight to Him.
