“I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast drawn me up, and hast not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried to thee for help, and thou hast healed me.” —Psalm 30:1–2

In the fall of 1993, with the exception of being two months from graduating from technical school, I was on the wrong path to nowhere. I was unhappy in my job of six years and running around with people who did not have my best interests in mind.

The hand of Jesus quickly put a halt to my destructive path and gave me the opportunity to change. At the young age of 26, I was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. The on-call doctor told my parents and me that if I hadn’t gone to see my doctor that day, I would not have made it through the weekend. What a wake-up call!

It is by the saving grace of God and his unselfish gift of Jesus’ life for my sins that I am here today. God has a plan for each of us; we just need to slow down long enough to listen for his direction. I, of course, thought I had all the answers and knew what was best for me, but I did not.

I believe that God allows us to choose the paths we take in life, giving us the opportunity to listen for his voice, directing us on the path to him. We all choose a path in our lives, but after looking back, we realize it was not the path God would have chosen for us. But then he is with us, guiding us once again toward him. God never gives up on us!

Each year during Lent, I get emotional knowing the sacrifice God made for us and that Jesus knew his fate. I can only imagine the despair Jesus felt for his people because they had no idea of God’s plan. But, God is great! He resurrected his son, Jesus the Christ, so that we may have everlasting life.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for Jesus’ healing touch and for always being with me on the many paths in life. Help me to continue on the path that leads to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Michelle Ahrens