When I was asked to write this piece on the theme of “a clear path,” how we might clear out our lives for a smoother journey in 2008, the task seemed easy.

But upon further consideration it seems to me that how we might go about finding a clear path is not at all clear, if by “clear” we mean a path that is smooth and pleasant.

The following quotation articulates some of why I wrestle with this:

“Life in a fallen world is full of opportunities to hurt – loved ones become ill, children treat parents with indifference, jobs are lost, second husbands prove worse than the first, aging reduces the range of pleasurable activity.

“The demand for relief leads to the denial of pain through distraction or compromise. But when that demand is not made, when the clear priority is faithfulness, then relief may or may not come, but character will grow.” – Dr. Larry Crabb from Understanding People

Most of us can expect a good measure of pleasant circumstances and experiences in 2008. But whatever path we find ourselves on in the new year, it is sure also to have its share of roots, pot holes, confusing twists and turns, and other kinds of debris.

Thus, I believe a more realistic, healthy and – for followers of Jesus – a more faithful goal is make sure we are on the path of character growth or maturity.

And as Dr. Crabb states, character growth has a lot to do with how we face the not-so-pleasant things that come our way. I wonder if he didn’t learn that from Bible passages such as Romans 5:3-5:

“We know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us.”

We have a basic choice to make: Either we superficially handle the conflict, pain, and various disappointments that will inevitably come our way in 2008 by demanding immediate relief. Or, we can see the unpleasant side of life as showing us our helplessness and utter dependence upon God, who may or may not bring us short-term relief.

It is when we adopt the latter posture and remain prayerful obedience through the hurtful times that character grows and we become more mature.

Please don’t misunderstand. I am not wishing disappointments and hardship on anyone in 2008, but it is simply unrealistic to suppose that these won’t come.

I hope that you and I have an abundance of great times in the new year. But even more so I pray that we would have the wisdom and willingness to face the painful times that will come not with denial or compromise, but with prayer, fidelity to what God tells us in the Scriptures, and integrity in our relationships with other people.

Would that 2008 would be a year in which our character grows.