I deliver an early morning paper route. I always start in the dark and end in the dark. On the way home there is a slight curve in the road right as you are going through an intersection.
No big deal, there are a lot of those out there, right?
Well like most intersections, the middle dividing line between the lanes is not there. It picks back up as you get on the other side of the intersection. The problem is that when they painted that line, they didn't start it immediately on the other side. Due to the curve in the road, the line being set further away, and the dark there is a moment nearly every morning where I feel like I've lost site of where the lane on the other side is.
If I don't adjust to the curve, I'll be in the oncoming lane, but with no edge lines on either side of the road, and no daylight to help you really need that middle line to help remind you of where you need to be.
You would think that after 20 years of driving on that road in the dark I'd have it down pat,but over and over again I have a moment of panic that I've lost sight of the lane.
It reminded me of the gospel, and holding on to the iron rod. (the word of god and his plan for how we should live.)
The commandments and all of the words of God that guide us as to how we should stay on the path that will lead us back to our Heavenly Father are right in front of us and available, but sometimes we lose sight of the path. Mostly due to our own choices and mistakes, but sometimes due to unforseen trials that mar our path.
Just like my moment of panic in the dark, when we lose sight of our Heavenly Father and the path he has laid out for us, we often have a moment of panic. Where do I go? Where did God go? How do I find Him? How do I get back on the path?
I have driven that road now long enough to know that the line is just a foot or two ahead and to hold steady till I see it. I do not need to veer too far one way or the other, When we lose sight of the gospel path we have a way back:
Lets just start with Prayer. No mistake, no amount of anger or lonliness will stop Him from hearing you. The moment you turn away from prayer is the very moment you need it the most! Give him your sorrows, your pain, even your anger.. He will take it and help you find your way back.
Turn to His words through scripture as well as our modern day Church leaders. There is a saying.. If you want to speak to God, pray. If you want to hear from God, read your scriptures. It is so true! Put it to the test! Pick them up and try.
Talk with trusted church leaders.family and friends. Isolation will only keep the path to happiness further in the dark. Trust them to guide you back to the path of the gospel.
Don't stay off of the path to God any longer than you have to. Use the atonement to be forgiven if you need it, forgive others yourself, speak wtih God and Listen to him. Then take action.... actually move your feet back to the lane you know he wants you to be in!
