You will make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV.
Paths are important. Most of us are not trailblazers—even though we may want to be or think we are! So we need paths to follow. This scripture always brings me so much hope. When I feel stuck in my life’s journey, I turn to this verse. The promise here is if I ask Him, He will show me the path of life. However, there is no guarantee of what I shall encounter on that path, but I know if I keep following Him, it will lead to life eternal.
So many parts of our paths involve the intersection of others. My dad joined the Navy during WW2. The Navy moved this Texas family to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, in Oak Harbor, WA. When the war ended, my parents chose to remain here. Physical complications prevented my mother from bearing children, so they went the adoption route. If they had moved to Texas, my triplet sisters and I would have had a completely different life. I think it was very much a God directed decision. They adopted all three of us right before the adoption agency was going to split us up. We are forever grateful they did not split us up. Their paths definitely affected ours! Because their path led to Washington state, so did mine. I still touch lives here because of their path following. Who might be in your life because you chose His path? It really is not all about us!
Not all paths lead to life, however. Proverbs 14:12 gives us a warning. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. NLT. We need to be aware of what path we are taking—the path to life or the path to destruction. Many times, the path to destruction actually looks like the easiest and best. Paul warns us in 2 Timothy 2:16-18, Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth. One guideline to watch for if we are on the path of life is if we are seeking truth and are willing to let that truth find us. If we are hiding from the truth, then we have veered off the path of life. Conviction, repentance and correction are found on the path of life. These are good things! I used to be so anxious reading Matthew 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. I finally had a conversation with the Lord concerning it He said, the path to life is not a tightrope! The path to life may be narrow, but it is doable. It is wide enough for you to enjoy the journey! I think as a child I pictured it as a balance beam! Not so.
What great promises we have in the Bible! Proverbs 3:6, Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. How amazing is this? Are you feeling a bit blind in your way or lost? Go back to Him and know the Holy Spirit will guide you. Maybe you find yourself at a crossroads, take the time to seek Him before any decisions. He knows the way you should take. Decision time, no matter how difficult it is, is always a good time to get to know the Lord even better. Spending time with Him, waiting for direction can be challenging, but will pay off in the end.
Father, no matter what season we are in, we need to follow your path. We ask you for the ancient paths, knowing your ways are best. Help us slow down in our decision making and listen to Your Holy Spirit. You want us to follow your path of life for life. Thank you, we can trust in You, In Jesus Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 