One of my favorite Dr. Suess books of all time is “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.” I love the whimsy. The inspiration. The humor. But most of all, I appreciate his candid outlook on life.
Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
You see, this book was written in 1990 and is the very last written piece before Dr. Suess passed away the following year. Reflecting on his life journey, he pens words of encouragement to his readers to keep moving forward, despite the setbacks…and bang-ups and hang-ups.
“Things may happen and often do to people as brainy and footsy as you”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Things do happen. And yes, they will.
We will have road bumps and roadblocks, and detours and red lights. Not everything will go according to plan. Nor will we see the good in all things. There are times when nothing will seem perfect or all right.
Our view, after all, is limited you know. We can only see as far as our human eyes allow.
How did Mary, the mother of Jesus, feel when she was forced to leave her home? She was mighty pregnant with a child, no doubt uncomfortable and not sleeping well. A long journey on a donkey sure must not have sounded like much fun. I wonder if she tried to weasel her way out?
God Is Always Up To Something
But you see, God was up to something. A census was called and therefore, by law, Mary and Joseph had to travel afar (see Luke 2). Despite what they could see with their own two eyes, someone much greater was orchestrating His plan. A prophecy of old was about to come to pass.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2
At just the right time, in God’s perfect moment, Mary was moved to deliver her son Jesus, who is God in human form. He came over 2,000 years ago to give you new life. Jesus is with you when things are not going your way. Through thick and thin, He is with you all of the time.
Jesus knows what it’s like to not have everything go well. He had his own life completely turned upside down. He doesn’t watch from afar and wonders how you are…but instead He walks with you through the pain.
There is no other like Jesus. No one else who can be ALL that you need.
Despite what has gone right or gone awry this past year, let’s set our gaze steadfast on Him. There is still work to be done. Stories to be told. Places to go! Will you join Him in what He has in store? Oh, the places you’ll go!
Where has God taken you this past year? Where is He leading you to go in 2016?