Elevator Buttons

I was at a conference this past weekend, and I lost track of how many times I went up and down in the elevator. Meals, meetings, breaks, forgotten things. On one of my numerous trips, I was blankly staring at the numbers on the panel and I wondered how often someone got off on the wrong floor.

It is so easy to have a goal in mind – to know where I want to go, but a mis-pressed button can totally derail me. Then I thought about all of the times I boarded an elevator to go one direction, only to discover that my traveling companion was going a different way; and what about all of the times someone gets on the elevator, presses all of the buttons and then abandons it, leaving others to deal with all of the waiting, misdirection and confusion.

Romans 7:15-20

… I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So often, we start out with the very best of intentions; focused on where we need to go, with plans to do things that are good. Yet, all too often we are distracted by what is on another floor (path) or by someone going to a different floor (life goal). Sometimes, we are overwhelmed by all of the choices in front of us and don’t know which decision to make.

Whenever we step off the path that the Lord has laid out for us, we are setting ourselves up do things that we may not even realize we are preparing to do. Yet, when we seek the Lord diligently and faithfully follow where He leads, we discover that we are exactly where He desires us to be.

Matthew 14:28-31

Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it’s You, order me to come to You on the water.” Jesus said, “Come on!” So Peter got down out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, “Lord, save me!” At once Jesus reached out His hand, caught him, and asked him, “You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.