Unstuck – Week Four

The loud popping noise was quickly followed by a lesser grinding sound and billows of smoke from the back of my car. With no other choice, I pulled over to the side of the highway. While there is never a great place for a flat tire, this was certainly not the ideal location – miles from the nearest exit and vehicles flying by at seventy-plus miles per hour.

Let me admit that I am no mechanic. The extent of my car knowledge is checking the oil (only due to one old car that guzzled it by the quart) and adding oil or wiper fluid. Keeping this in mind, note that my first move was to call family for help. Then, using my phone as a flashlight, I opened the trunk and located the spare tire.

Just as I pulled out the tire, bright lights of a large vehicle appeared behind me. My first thought was hoping this unknown person was not here to cause trouble. But I was relieved to discover help had arrived in the form of professional roadside assistance. In minutes, the shredded tire was removed, my spare tire was in place, and I was back on my way down the highway.

It is never a good feeling to be stuck. Even if we know it is temporary, the sense of being stranded is not a good one. Not only is this true of travel, but it’s true of our lives. Unexpected circumstances often come out of nowhere. One minute we are navigating on our path with ease, the next moment, we see smoke and find ourselves stuck on the side of the road.

In this season, there have been multiple days I have stared out at nothing, pondering how I got to this place. I have wondered if God has forgotten me or if I have messed up. But through to words of 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, I have been reminded that everything I see with my eyes is temporary. Beyond what I can see, there is an eternal purpose at work, and God is weaving together something greater than I can imagine.

But even knowing this truth, there are times I still feel stuck. Like when I was stranded on the highway watching vehicles rush by, it can feel like life is passing by, and I am missing out. On these days, I have been contemplating – how do I get unstuck? How do I move past this discouragement and uncertainty?

In addition to looking up to Him, God reminded me to look around me to other believers. Sometimes we need help, and that is okay. In fact, that is how God designed us. We are not created for isolation or independence but relationship and community.

As the year 2020 has restricted human interaction and increased isolation, it is more important than ever to reach out to family and friends. It is critical that we share our needs and meet others’ needs, that we open up and that we listen, and that we accept help and offer a helping hand.

I love the words of the author of Hebrews, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1) These words follow story after story of men and women of faith. People who choose to follow God despite the challenges they faced. People who provide us with an example and offer us hope.

Are you feeling stuck today? Don’t sit on the side of the road, feeling sorry for yourself. Get off the sidelines. Do what it takes to get back on track. Don’t be ashamed to call out for help.

Now is the time to get unstuck.