Slippery Slope

“But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.” Psalms‬ ‭73:2‬ ‭

The highways were slick today.

The blizzard blew itself out; the crews were out and about early (thanks, everyone!) and the main roads were cleared of snowdrifts, allowing folks like me to get to work on time.

But it got cold so quickly after that freezing rain, and the wet stuff stuck to the roads before getting a healthy topping of fresh snow.

It made for a very slippery slope.

Driving on ice requires some finesse. You can’t make any sudden turns. You can’t apply the brakes like you would under dry conditions. Everything needs to be slow and gentle. You need to set a straight course – and keep it.

Or you’ll spend time in the ditch, waiting for a tow truck.

So it is with a life of faith.

Some phases, we navigate easily. We know where we’ve come from, and where we’re going. We can set the cruise control, turn up the tunes, and go for it.

Others – well, not so much.

I went through a time in my life where I was shaken to the core. My childhood wasn’t what I thought it was. I was remembering things that didn’t make sense, and had no context. I didn’t know who I was anymore. In my pain and confusion, I questioned everything. I could feel my feet slipping away, and it was terrifying.

I could have landed in the ditch and stayed there.

But underneath it all – beyond the pain and depression and anxiety – there was Jesus. He let me scream my frustration to Him. He led me by the hand when I felt lost. He became an anchor, a sure foundation, as slowly but surely I picked up pieces of me that felt like they had been blown to smithereens.

I thought I had lost myself, fallen off the edge, become hopelessly damaged on that slippery slope.

Instead, I found myself – right in the arms of Jesus, where I had been all along.

Are you driving on sheer ice?

Slipping into dangerous, unwanted places?

Be encouraged! Maybe it is there, on your own slippery slope, that you will find your path – and the One who promised to walk with you on your journey!

Because here’s the thing.

Ice melts in the sun.

Love is the antidote to ice. Only love is warm enough to destroy the fear and failure and regret and pain.

Reach out to this Love with me?

Father, it boggles our brains to be so loved, so cherished, so pursued, so held by so powerful a Being as You! Bless our efforts to reach out to You in faith as we slip around in our hurt and heartache. Be the sure footing we so crave. Amen.