On our way to worship, my daughter and I saw a squirrel in the middle of the road. We, and the car coming from the other direction, stopped to allow him to make up his mind. First, he darted to the right. Then, back to the left. Then, straight down the street. Then, back at us. Finally, he bounded off the right across a ditch and into the woods. He was in a very uncomfortable position. We laughed and I mentioned to my daughter how I feel the same way sometimes.

    I have felt like the squirrel when I cannot decide where I want to eat lunch. I drive down one street a pass all the restaurants. Then, down another. Then, back up the same street. There have been a few times I simple drive through and get a drink and head back to the office.

    I have felt like the squirrel when I have been trying to decide about what to preach on, or write about in an article. First, this idea. Then, another. Then, back to the first or something altogether different.

    I suspect some college students feel a similar panic as they try to decide where to attend college, what to major in, or what to do with their lives. This sounds good. That looks nice. Then, again that has some appeal as well.

    I have felt like the squirrel when trying to determine how to say certain things. If I say this, they will think that. If I say that, they may misunderstand. If I do not say something, they may think I am thinking something that I never intended.

I have felt like the squirrel...

    I also feel like the squirrel in the middle of the road when I am faced with temptation. Part of me wants one thing. Another part of me wants to go in a different direction. I know what is right and I know what is wrong, and I know that sometimes I get stuck in the middle.

    Being caught in the middle is no fun, for squirrels or humans. If you find yourself in the middle of the road and not sure which way to go here is a couple of suggestions.

    First, ask for advice. Don’t be embarrassed. We’ve all been there. We will all be there again. When you get stuck in the middle ask for help.

Where there are no wise suggestions, purposes come to nothing; but by a number of wise guides they are made certain. (Proverbs 15:22 CEV)

    Second, pray about it. Ask God to guide you. Ask Him to give you peace about it. He will.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:5-7 NIV)

    In some situations being caught in the middle is no big deal. But, if you are in the middle of the road with traffic coming from all directions it there is no guarantee that traffic will stop while you decide which direction to go. Have a plan. Follow the plan. Don’t get caught in the middle of the road.

© 2001, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!

Title: "Caught in the Middle"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: September 11, 2001

Share with Others	Related Heartlight Resources
Print this Article Send it to a Friend Discuss	Seize Today