PATHS

In every part and time of our lives, we are meant to be on a path. What that means is there are choices we make that either place us solidly on the path that God has already forged or on another one...or many, of our own choosing. Where we are allowing our feet to trod will determine the effectiveness of our Christian witness and our relationship with the ONE who leads. Don't we always think that we know which turn to take, which road to step out on?? Doesn't the world laud an independent spirit that bushwacks through the dense foliage with a courageous heart?

Proverbs 16:9 is a verse that I always return to when I think that I know which way is best. "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

I have chosen many paths over the years. Most were through thick and humid jungles of confusion. There was always a lot of noise and echo in the deep of those jungles. The noise effectively eclipsed the sound of my Savior's voice whispering for me to turn back. And many of the noises that I couldn't actually identify seemed like sounds that signalled danger. I, of course, ignored the warnings and found myself deeply enmeshed in foliage that wrapped it's green tendrils around my already suffocating heart.

Whenever we disobey God's command to, "do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil," (Prov. 3:7), we step onto a path not meant for us. Unfortunately, that path is fraught with terrors. Caniverous predators stalk our steps, causing us to live a shudderingly fearful life. In that way, they control our steps.

We are watched from the limbs above by monstrous yellow-eyed reptiles, waiting to accordion our bones and flesh. The snake's desire is to "kill, steal and destroy" all that is not of his world. In that way, he controls the steps we take. Our fear, our emotions then, control our direction on the path, our life.

It is really so much easier to step on the right path in the first place. It may seem overgrown at the beginning but becomes more defined as we walk along it. There is always a light illuminating from above, even when the darkest, moonless night comes. There is sustenance and the sparkling river of life along the way. Our eyes are ever opened by insights and clear-thinking because this path has been carefully and lovingly carved through a maze of tangled webs, webs created by an enemy wishing to waylay us.

Step carefully, friends, where God would have you.