Years ago the Lord spoke to my heart and said “many are the ones who carry scars of the past, but those who allow for wounds to be untouched and not stop bleeding will never see resolution.”

This morning I awoke and I was thinking about a dream I had. In the dream the Lord showed me people who had given up just inches from their victory, moments from their deliverance. I was reminded of the old cartoons where a man would head for an oasis in a desert seeking water. Many skeletons were found just minutes from the waters of the respite.Too many cannot keep their eyes on the one who provides for them, Christ. They have lost focus. Self-centeredness, pride, wounds and bitterness have overtaken them. Moses threw a tree in the waters Marah, Exodus 15:22-25, Christ brought a tree (the cross) into the bitter waters of life. The result in both instances was sweetness permeated the waters.

While resting there in bed in the early hours of the morning I thought about an airplane ride. Sometimes it is bumpy. A bump in the ride is the result of air pockets or turbulence. The further from the front of the plane the more pronounced the turbulence.

The Lord showed me that too many are not focused on the head (Jesus) or the front of the plane, but allowing themselves to be subject to the winds of turbulence. (Paul warned against this in Ephesians 4:14) The turbulence does not indicate the end of the ride but in fact indicates forward motion. To get caught up in the turbulence often creates fear, insecurity and doubt. Getting caught up in a difficult situation will cause the same.

Last night I wrote this short post, “Tonight I received notice that a long time friend (over 20 years) had passed on. Another call about sickness and I could hear the feeling of vulnerability in their voice. And a neighbor had their car repossessed while they have a new baby.” Talk about a few bumps in the road.

In turbulence the passenger is at the mercy of the pilot and of course God. In life our choices often determine turbulence and the length of time it takes. But sometimes turbulence or bumps is just what we encounter. And sometimes it us that needs to navigate out of it.

Bumps in the road are NOT the condemnation of God. Sometimes they are just that…bumps. We may endure the consequences of bad choices but at the root of it, following God’s direction is the safest and soundest way through.

Last week I sensed “turbulence” on the horizon but with the knowledge God is moving us through. Sometimes the bumps are a little noisy. Sometimes they catch us by surprise. Last night so many things loaded up so quickly, I had that feeling of “numbness” come upon me, but leaving the house, getting a change restored me quickly.

We need not walk in the woundedness of days gone by, but can allow for the salve of heaven to touch us and bring healing to our being. If you have not let the Lord touch those wounded places how can life be full?

Life may always have bumps and even seasons of bumps. How we respond to bumps often determines the speed we reach the destination.

May God bring peace into your life today and healing into your hearts.

Scars indicate a battle gone by but open wounds a battle ongoing.