Getting A Little Lost

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 268: Today, I am grateful for getting a little lost. 

Today, in this GPS dependent age, we are losing the adventure of a map. When following a map, there are always times we find ourselves "a little lost" or questioning our interpretation of the map.

In the "Did I read it right?" moments... in the questioning... we tend to slow down and take in the sights along the way. We explore our route as we try to verify it. There are times we find a shortcut or a slightly different path to our destination.  

There are small adventures whenever we find ourselves a little lost. 

I like being in a new place. I prefer it with no time table. To slow down and take in what is unfamiliar and new is a grand adventure. A little lost  is not a bad thing when our hearts are open to new discovery. 

The culture in the time of Jesus is so different from today. It is hard to imagine it. Still, we must consider the culture when we reflect on Jesus and his disciples.

The disciples were called from different places and social spaces. The one thing that each required was the courage to follow "The Way". They had to have a heart for adventure.

They were stepping out of religious ritual and into a relationship with the long awaited Messiah. His charisma was his love. His challenge was more internal than external behaviors. They had no idea the path would lead to a cross... or an empty tomb and encounters with a risen Savior. They had know idea where they were going when they said "yes". 

This is what he said to the fishermen: 

Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” - Mark 4:19 

This is what he said to the woman at the well: 

 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” -John 4:21-24

Then, shortly after that he declares, "I AM the Messiah." She went to the well for water and found the way to salvation. It was an unexpected path. The longest recorded conversation with Jesus in the gospels and it was life changing. She chose the adventure... a little lost... but she had found The Way. 

Life truly is more about the journey and who we have beside us. 

Today, I am grateful for getting a little lost.