I read a saying the other day, “every path has its puddles.” The concept instantly struck me. I have heard of “obstacles in our path,” “stumbling blocks,” or even “stepping-stones.” Those are all analogies for overcoming or deciding how to handle a situation that was not foreseen. But the puddles are something that can deter us from the path, or we can find unexpected joy by jumping in the puddle. We get to decide on how that puddle will affect our journey. We can jump in it and keep moving forward, or it can lead us away from the intended path.

I say all this as we move through a time where we have felt many obstacles in our paths over the past year. Some of those obstacles have stopped us completely in our tracks, while others have forced us to move in a new direction. We are at the crossroad of isolation and fellowship, and for many, this can feel like a giant puddle. We are hesitant to move forward. The isolation has created new routines, concerns, uncertainties, and perhaps an awareness that not everything has to go back to normal. For others, this crossroad is as simple as jumping in the puddle and resuming with life as we know it. However you are walking on your path right now, consider the puddle that is before you. Take your time to think through the best way to approach that puddle but decide if it’s okay to get a little messy from jumping in or if it’s going to stop you from moving down your path.

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]   John 14:27 (Amplified)