By Danny Minton

In the story “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll, a conversation occurs between Alice and “The Cheshire Cat.”

“Alice: Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
The Cheshire Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.
Alice: I don’t much care where.
The Cheshire Cat: Then it doesn’t much matter which way you go.
Alice: So long as I get somewhere.
The Cheshire Cat: Oh, you’re sure to do that if only you walk long enough.”

Many people go through life like Alice, without a purpose or goal, headed for somewhere, anywhere, but they’re unsure where. When we go through life without direction, we will eventually get somewhere. However, that somewhere may not be what we wanted when we started the phase of life we find ourselves in. It’s a journey filled with unexpected turns and outcomes.

As we go through life, things will change, sometimes in ways we decide and other times as a “bump” in the road. As we go through life, we often come to a place where we have to make a decision. What we decide will frequently take us to unknown places, both good and bad. However, to make the most out of life, we have to have direction, something, or someone leading us who can aid in the decision-making that may lay ahead.

I heard a story about a missionary in an unfamiliar place sometime back. To reach a particular village, he had to go through an area overgrown with wild brush and dense vegetation. He hired a man to lead him to the village, and the two set out to a distant location. The missionary followed the man for hours as he chopped away at the dense vegetation and twisted and turned along the rough terrain. Finally, the missionary, in frustration, asked, “Are we lost? Is there anyone who can show us the way?” The answer came back, “Sir, in the jungle, I am the way.” The journey continued until the two broke into the grounds of the village.

In another story I have shared before, a man was driving in a dense fog, struggling to see the road ahead. Finally, he spied the taillights of a vehicle ahead driven by someone who seemed like he could see well and knew where they were going. The man followed the car, keeping the bright red lights in view. After a while, having traveled through several roads with twists and turns, the vehicle came to a sudden stop, and before he could completely stop, rear-ended the one he was following. Shaken up, he exited his car and asked why the driver had stopped so abruptly. The man looked at him, obviously upset at what happened, and said, “I’m not sure where you’re going, mister, but I’m in my own driveway.”

Where we end up often depends on choosing whose direction we plan to follow. God doesn’t tell us directly which road to take in our lives. However, we can gain from Him by asking for the wisdom to make the right decisions when we come to those crossroads. Seeking His guidance and realizing that no matter our decision, He will be there with us, helping us make the most of where we are at any time.

My favorite Bible verses are found in the book of Isaiah. “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might, He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”  Isaiah 40:28-31 (NASB)

Before you take another step in life, before you get up in the morning, before you go to bed at night, any time, any place, never forget the words of David as he ended his shepherd’s psalm, “For You are with me.” No matter which way you go in life trying to get somewhere, you will never take that walk alone.

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ