New Beginnings

Building a Highway

As I pondered on the above scripture during my quiet time this morning, I thought about what the words meant.   From a more literal perspective, it might imply that we would physically go into the deserts and jungles as missionaries to reach those literally in the wilderness who may never otherwise hear the Word of God.  

No doubt, there are definitely people God calls to do that but not everyone can be a missionary in that sense or in those environments. 

So, what about the rest of us?

I think the scripture is telling us to reach out to people that don't know God in whatever way we can.  The verses ask us to "build a highway" so that God can use it.  It doesn't ask us to "be a savior" ourselves.  I think the most overlooked and obvious way that we can build a highway for God is by way of prayer. 

As I think about it, I believe the "desert" and "wilderness" are those lives that are void of God.  They need Him but don't even know that they do.  Maybe no one has ever even mentioned His name.  Maybe no one has ever invited them to church or even smiled at them in passing.  Maybe no one has ever even cared.

All God asks of us is that we build a highway so that he can use it and His glory will be revealed!  Prayer and intercession for the lost can pave that highway a little at a time!  As more and more people pray for that one lost sole, the highway expands and goes deeper into the wilderness and God steps a little closer with each stretch of the road.  Without the highway, the lost person may overlook God for all the "trees". 

Or perhaps there is one person that is supposed to deliver a special message to the lost one but he or she cannot get there because there is no highway paved by prayer to prepare the heart of the one to receive the message. 

Prayer is powerful.  Intercessory prayer is critical.  Loving the lost and praying for them are our marching orders straight from above.  Praying isn't hard.  Yet, we are not always good at it.  We can do it pretty much anytime--day or night.  I truly don't think that we realize the impact prayer has on those that we pray for.

As long as we pray within the will of God, we have received a promise that our prayer will be answered.  God desires all to know Him.  As we prayer for a lost person, we are helping to build the highway to his heart so that God will be welcomed in! 

Sometimes it takes years and years, for someone to finally come to know God.  Chances are there were years of praying involved for that person.  It can be discouraging, when you pray and pray for a lost person that you deeply care about.  We have to remember that we cannot save that person.  However, with each prayer of intercession the highway is being paved---the highway needed for God to step in and take over his or her life.  

We must never stop praying.  We don't know how deep or dark the wilderness is and we may need help paving the way.   We may need to ask others to join us as we pray.  At times the highway may not be just to the lost, but perhaps to a saved one who needs renewed hope, healing, encouragement or breakthrough. 

Often times, others have paved the highway ahead of us and God is asking us to step on the highway and help lead that person to Christ or be the catalyst that gets them back on their spiritual track.  Without the highway, we couldn't "reach" them.   Stepping onto the highway and leading a person to Christ or bringing them back to Christ is a lot scarier than just praying to pave it!

We have a promise that God will be with us if He calls us in that manner.

So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you.  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Still at other times, I believe God calls us to step on the highway before the final destination is near to play a part in the journey.  Maybe we are to offer a word of encouragement.  Maybe we are to give or share our blessings.  Maybe we are just to be a role model.  Maybe we are just to show we care.

The fact is that God doesn't randomly put people into our lives.  If we meet someone, it is for a reason.  Sometimes it is for us and sometimes it is for them.  But we can be sure God was involved.

.....so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this.... Isaiah 41:20.  

I met a lady in Wal-Mart last night.  She had a young daughter with her who was probably around 5-7 years old.  We were looking a beads to make jewelry.  She apologized for interupting my mother and I as we talked.  She asked if Wal-Mart was where I usually bought my beads and we began to talk.  

Turns out that she was making bracelets for her "Relay for Life" team.  Relay for Life is a team event sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  Teams walk to raise money for cancer research and prevention.  Her team was walking in memory of her husband who she lost to bone cancer.  I told her that I lost my Dad to brain cancer and I understood the importance of the Relay event. 

My heart went out to her.  She was so young. I suggested another store where she might find the beads she was looking for and I told her that I thought her idea was a great one.  As we parted, she told me thanks for the help and I told her good luck.    

Later that evening, I wondered.  Did I miss an opportunity?  Was God asking me to do more?  Should I have said something else?  I didn't even get her name. 

Honestly, I'm still not sure if I missed my "highway" marker on that meeting.  I have that little nagging feeling that maybe I should have said more but I was distracted and didn't catch it until it was too late.  But maybe not, maybe just the fact that I listened and encouraged her idea without feeling sorry for her was just was she needed.  I'll probably never know for sure, but God did lay it on my heart, to pray for her and her daughter.  I added her to my PR journal (Prayer Requests and Praise Reports) and I will pray for her.

Dear Jesus, 

Please help us all never to miss a highway marker.  Let us step on the highway and play our part in paving the way whether the road is leading to salvation, healing or spiritual breakthrough.  In turn, let us recognize those that step on the highway in our life and recognize God's hand in all that we come in contact with and every event in our lives. Thank you for being who You are and for the many blessings You share.   Thank You for the chance to serve You and for Your constant forgiveness.  Amen