Change of Direction?

I spend my afternoons walking a track around a field behind our house.  My husband is very diligent about keeping the grass cut so that I may have a clear path to walk and can see what is ahead of me.  We have it measured out perfectly as to how many times I must walk around to equal a mile.  He is so good to me.

During my walks is one of my daily prayer times.  Where God and I discuss my direction or path in ministry and what I am called to do.  After years of ministry work in the church everything from children's director to treasurer I find myself without direction.  Changing churches and changing environments has given me the chance to stop and ask the question, "What am I suppose to be doing?".  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has asked that question... anywho...

As I was walking, God and I were discussing the direction He would like my ministry to travel.  I asked the question, "Is this where you want me to be? Am I going in the right direction? Please show me some kind of affirmation."  then "POOF"  a snake right in my path.  It was only a green snake, so I stopped put my hands on my hips and began a conversation with the snake.  "One of us has to move... which is it going to be?".  He just sat there and looked at me so I continued on my way and walked around him.  I turned and told him that if he was still there on my next lap I was going to take him home.  He was gone when I got back.

The second day God and I were still having the same conversation and then "POOF" another snake.  This time it wasn't a green garden snake but a big copperhead.  Needless to say, this snake and I didn't hit it off as well as the green snake from the day before.  I stopped in my tracks and called for backup from the "Snake Killers" in my family and it wasn't long before this particular snake was no longer a concern.

So what is God trying to tell me?  That my path will always have obstacles no matter how green and peaceful it may be and that I need to face my ministry challenges head on?  Both times I have overcome the obstacles in my path one small and one not so small, but I keep pushing forward to complete the job ahead of me.  Are the snakes symbolic of sinful stumbling blocks?  Or maybe I need to change direction all together.  God is the snake killer of my path and as long as I keep my eyes on Him he will intervene on my behalf and clear the path of my ministry travel.

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