Friday, January 25, 2008

"Unassumed Road - Use at your own risk"

A parcel of undeveloped land was recently purchased by a builder at the end of our street. Bulldozers, tractors and every imaginable piece of machinery descended upon our quiet subdivision to begin leveling the land. Beautiful new homes are popping up quicker than you can blink. Of course, all this construction also brings with it dirt roads, dust and signs. Daily new warnings appear, "Yield to oncoming traffic"; "STOP"; "Construction Zone"; "Danger due to low hanging wires". But, the one that has always puzzled me relays the message, "Unassumed Road. Use at your own risk". What exactly is an "unassumed road"? Well, in doing a little research I discovered that it's a road that no-one claims or takes ownership of at that time. In other words, if anything happens to you should you choose to take that path, heedless of the warning, the responsibility lies with you. The other aspect of an unassumed road is that it can appear without warning. Suddenly the sign is just there.

I immediately began to think of the different types of "unassumed roads" that appear in our lives. They may come as choices we make regardless of God's warning and direction. God has us at a crossroad. An "unassumed road" and paved road lie before us. He has made a way out, but we still choose the wrong path. "Unassumed roads" could also enter our lives in the form of unexpected news. A job change, an unwelcome diagnosis, a severed relationship. Whichever way they come, the dirt and dust that accompany them can impact our lives greatly. Traveling down an "unassumed road" is never easy. It's full of potholes, rocks and bumps. We really want to avoid these roads as much as possible, taking the 'way out' that Christ makes available. But, what if an "unassumed road" is His chosen path for you? Then He promises to give you the strength to travel the journey.

A New Year has just begun. On the roadmap of your life for 2008 an "unassumed road" may be part of His blue-print. The Designer and Builder of your life has plans for you. As country singer Carrie Underwood says in the song, "Jesus take the wheel", let's allow Him full control of this years destinations. His plans for us are good and if possible at all, He will take us down scenic, smooth roads. When a detour down an "unassumed road" is part of the plan, with Jesus in the drivers' seat, He will, as gently as possible, maneuver over crevices and bumps all the while explaining their purpose and drawing us unto Himself.

"This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'" Jer. 6:16"

2 comments:

Amy L Brooke said...

I really like this! Thanks for sharing it with me. I love the metaphors God grants us in life.

Hope you had a great Sunday!

Anonymous said...

I was looking for what an un-assumed road is. I liked your article. I did not know that I will come across an article about God. I just returned from the church today and I always see God's grace everywhere, especially at church.

Indeed, I can say that if an un-assumed road means that no one has ownership of it; I know that God is the owner of everything.

Even when we enter into an un-assumed road, and not even knowing how to read the warning signs, God is there, the owner, the protector and the One responsible for our safety.

King David in the psalm 139 said:
"7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there."

King David was making a prophecy about the Lord's descent into hades (the place of the dead) through the cross to free those captive by sin"

Yes, indeed He is the Savior that when we enter into un-assumed roads, he is there to redeem us.
Glory be to Him. Amen