“I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey Your Word.” —Psalm 119:101.
This morning I came downstairs and went to get clothes from the dryer. There were 2 paths to get there. I started walking to the right only to see a small carry-on suitcase from our cruise last week. Blocking the way.
I was in a hurry and decided to keep going even though the suitcase was somewhat in my path. It would probably save time, you know.
To avoid the suitcase, I leaned away from it as I passed by. In leaning away from the suitcase, I veered towards the Ozarka water gallon dispenser.
My shirt sleeve somehow got hooked onto the water opener, pulling it open.
Fresh spring water came guzzling out. All over the floor. All over my clothes.
My initial thought. Why? Why did you go this route? You saw the suitcase was in the way.
Like our journy of faith, sometimes we continue on paths that have obstructions. When we should have stopped. Changed course. Instead we kept going. Why on earth???
First, confidence. Once we start to commit, we feel like we’ve invested in this decision and shouldn’t back out.
Secondly, convenience. We picked the path that seemed shorter, required less responsibility, and costed less time.
Thirdly, control. We overrate our abilities and believe in our flesh we can handle what comes our way.
Fourth, confusion. Satan clouds our discernment and we choose blindly, often neglecting divine guidance.
Any of these sound familiar?
Because at some point in our relationship with God we have all ended up on paths that overwhelmed us or caused us more problems than we expected.
Because we picked a path out of confidence, convenience, control, or confusion.
The good news.
We choose wrongly. There’s forgiveness and restoration. In Christ.
We choose without sufficient thought. There are second chances and hope still. In Christ.
No one who trusts in Jesus will be left behind on the wrong path. Beloved, rest on this real truth, today.