Can We Get There from Here?

Some people may find it embarrassing, but I think it’s funny. I don’t know how many times my mother has pulled up to an unsuspecting stranger and asked, “Can we get there from here?”

Before I go any further, let me say that my mother loves to laugh and have fun. It’s part of her charm. And that is her humorous (in her mind) way of asking for directions. But do you know what is almost as funny? The way people respond to her.

Most people understand that she is joking. They laugh and answer, “Yeah, you can get there from here.” And they will proceed to tell us. Usually it’s something like, “You go on up a mile and turn left and then turn…” You get the idea.

And then there are those who get confused. You can tell because they don’t immediately answer. Instead they crinkle their eyebrows and, if they are really confused, they’ll scratch their heads. At that point I tell them, “She’s just trying to be funny when she asks for directions.” Then my mom gives a big smile like she’s proud of herself. They usually answer, “Oh….Okay. Well, you’ll have to go…” Again, you get the idea.

But for some reason, there are those few who become exasperated. I’m not exaggerating. Over the years, I have seen some people become rather upset when my mom asks, “Can we get there from here?”

“NO! You can’t get there from here.” They usually cross their arms or cram their hands on their hips. “You have to go somewhere else first to get there.” Like that made just as much sense. We’re still getting to where we need to go from where we are.

Bear with me here. You can get just about anywhere from where you are. The problem is we like the straight, simple and easy ways of getting there–wherever your “there” is. In other words, we want to be able to stay in our comfort zones. And it blows our minds at times to see those who are willing to go places and do things that are challenging and hard.

What direction would you be headed today if Jesus hadn’t come out of Heaven; His comfort zone? What if He had decided to have angles take him off the cross? “Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?” Matthew 26:53 (NKJV)

So dare to be bold. Dare to be fearless. Get out of that comfort zone and follow where ever Jesus leads you. I promise, you will never had to worry about going down the wrong path or asking, “Can I get there from here,” again.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)