Labyrinth of Life

“Don’t be fooled by this labyrinth of life.  What feels like a setback may actually be propelling you forward.”
Loren Thornburg

A labyrinth is a maze-like structure where the goal is to get to the center.  Dating back to Greek mythology these mazes involve intricate structure through which it is difficult to find your way.  What I noticed in walking through a modern day labyrinth is that although the goal is to get to the center you have to go farther away to get back to center.  Usually you make your way close to the center only to have to travel back to the outer edges to eventually make your way back to the centermost point.  I was reminded that sometimes what seems farther away is actually getting me closer to my desire.  It seems that in the face of trials we are farther from where we sought to arrive, but maybe it is those trials that are taking us one step farther.  It happens all the time: The job loss that sets us in position for a better one; the break up that makes us available for someone who is a better fit; another failed attempt at our dream that forces us to try another way.  So then when it feels you’re only moving farther from your goal look again.  You may find as you continue traveling on your labyrinth of life that you are now closer than it seemed.  

“Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”
Proverbs 28:26

God continually contradicts human wisdom.  We see this over and over throughout scripture: Goliath was killed by a boy with stones, the Savior of the world came as a baby born in a manger, the gospel spread through Paul who previously persecuted Christians.  So it seems we may not be able to rely on our own wisdom or understanding.  Our trust can not be in our own understanding, but we must look to God for wisdom and understanding.  It is in His wisdom that we are kept safe.  It is in His wisdom that we can see outside and past our circumstances to what He is doing in the midst of what feels like a never ending maze.  He has planned the labyrinth of our life and is walking with us each step of the way to bring us where He wants us.  Yet, what we may find is that it is less about getting to the center of the labyrinth as it is about trusting the One who walks with you through the maze. No matter how far or close it feels from where we think we should be headed we can trust the Maker of our labyrinth.