“You can’t see the North Star because the branches are in the way.” ~ T.D. Jakes
Driving through Louisville with my husband and on many occasions, on our way to somewhere during the busy spring, summer, and fall seasons, a sense of disorientation and dread would come over us as we approached the populous Kentucky city. Despite the beautiful weather and scenery, the source of our fear was that we would get off course. It seemed that no matter how hard we looked and concentrated, we just got off course in this one city every time!
One wintry day, we were there again – focusing on achieving that elusive goal of staying on our path.…and there it was! The hidden stone, that essential marker suddenly came into full view because the leaves were off the trees, and we could now see the road sign that had been there for years!
Often in my life, I have experienced the sensation in my soul of being lost, off course….not going in my right directions. I’ve found the only way to know how to get back on track is to remove the leaves — the people, the duties, the to-do lists and distractions and go into the woods and winter of my soul to be able to be still and know God and His plan for me. Sometimes it takes only a few hours, sometimes it takes a week. However long, it has been essential to my life.
I raised four children and had a challenging life of running my own business and ministry. I was blessed to have a friend who would keep my children for a week so I could go to the mountains and the forest. During these times, I would find that I usually spent the first three days sleeping! I was so exhausted and full of life situations that I would fall asleep and wake up almost ill – as if I were drunk, but with no alcohol in my body. I would fall back into a deep sleep immediately. Looking back now, I see that I was resting like a baby in the arms of God. After three days, I would wake up and come alive with energy, excitement, and purpose for the new year pulsating through my veins and my soul.
I tell you this story because I believe I am not alone in being so wound up that it takes that long to unwind.
We all need quiet. We need time and space to discover our true North Star and to see clearly the road signs marking our individual paths.
Ask your Creator to help you create a time to hear Him each day – even if it’s only 5-15 minutes. Take time to remove the leaves blocking your view and be still and undistracted. Do this quarterly and yearly, working with the time you’re able to carve out. Only then will you be able to quiet that noise of confusion and uncertainty.