The sidebars of life are calling our names at every turn. They do not require a lot of effort and often promote camouflaged victories that are easily obtained. What exactly are the sidebars of life? They are basically moments where “hard” is traded for “easy” and comfort for discomfort. It is a period where the “roads less taken” remain the “roads less taken.”
There she was–my beautiful granddaughter Hensley. “Nana, I want to go to the playground,” she stated. “Okay,” I replied. On this particular day, I was staying at a cabin surrounded by a beautiful lake. Frequently visited by family, the area afforded breathtaking scenery. Close to my cabin was the perfect place for kids to play. So, there we were–Nana and granddaughter.
As Hensley enjoyed all aspects of the playground, I watched from afar. She went up and down the slides, having a blast while running across the playground’s layout. And then it happened. A moment that would arrest my attention while teaching a lesson I needed most on that day.
Hensley had come to the trapeze bar. At first, she felt it was too difficult and turned her focus to another route that was attached to this particular pole—the sidebar. This bar was much easier to hang from and with hardly any effort, she quickly mastered it. She was simply fabulous on the sidebar.
Yet, after pondering more over the trapeze bar, the eager seven-year-old resolved to attempt it once again. However, the one more time turned into several more times, and a little girl’s resolve turned into fierce determination to conquer the trapeze bar. And conquer she did! Hensley’s little face lit up when she experienced the fruit of her labor. She smiled from ear-to-ear as she enjoyed a victory from something that at first appeared impossible to her. Hensley refused to give up.
As I sat back and watched, I was reminded of how often we find ourselves standing in a hard place longing to escape or to identify an easier route to travel. Maybe it is a tough trial we are facing, a mountain that seems impossible to climb, or circumstances that bring waves of fear. Instead of allowing God to intervene in our trials and give us strength to climb those mountains or peace to calm those fears, we are tempted to run toward the sidebars of life, settling instead of persevering, or taking the easy route instead of the road less traveled. Believe me, I have done just that.
This moment was one most captivating to say the least. It was also a period prompting a special lesson and reminder that would never be forgotten. Why do we long for those sidebars instead of the trapeze bars? Because easy and comfort often rule over hard and discomfort; however, easy and comfort will never yield the rich harvest of God’s work and blessings as will hard and discomfort.
At times, it may be harder to stay than to go. (Stay)
At times, it may appear to be an impossible climb, and giving up may be easier. (Keep Climbing)
At times, it may look as though nothing is changing as prayer after prayer is offered. (Keep Praying)
At times, the situation may get worse, and our faith may waiver. (Keep the Faith—God is Working)
At times, God may be pruning us, doing a work most amazing in our hearts, but oh how it hurts. (Let Him do His work—Surrender to His pruning—You will be glad you did).
We serve a God who can change the cruelest of hearts, redirect a journey that is going the wrong way, and forgive a person when others want to hold grudges. He will use greatly an individual for Kingdom purposes, mend broken relationships that seem hopeless, and turn enemies into the best of buddies. God will intervene in our circumstances in a way we will never forget. May we say goodbye to those sidebars and commit our lives to God, as He brings us to those trapeze bars, where He will show Himself faithful to His own, where perseverance and character are built and where hearts are miraculously transformed!
