On The Straight Path

Recently my parents decided to sell their home in Florida and move to Georgia. One of the key selling features for them was the amount of property they could purchase for their money. As such, they ended up buying a larger home with a “communal backyard.”

It turns out that the home they purchased sits on acres and acres of land, which all connect to other homes through the backyard. This land is full of majestic pine trees, creeks, varying elevations, and trails. Residents enjoy walking the scenic routes by following trees marked by yellow dots to get from one side of the community to the other. So this past Thanksgiving, we decided to visit their new home. While visiting, I decided to take our dog on one of those scenic routes.

“When you enter the trail, follow those yellow dots. They’ll take you to the other end of the trail.” “Got it,” I told my dad. On so, we set off. We walked for about half an hour until I decided it was time to turn back. When we turned around and headed back, I followed the yellow dots. However, everything started to look the same. All of the trees, foliage, and paths looked similar, but after thirty minutes, we weren’t back home. Even though I followed the dots and used a compass for orientation, it seems we weren’t on the right path.

Finally, after almost an hour and a half, we found our way home. I later discovered there are various paths on that trail marked with yellow dots. The only distinguishable difference is whether they’re on the left or right side. Adding to the confusion is how the trail changes elevation and has many turns and twists. In essence, it’s not a straight line.

Scripture teaches us that God has a plan for us and a way to get us there. This plan is to conform us into the likeness of Christ. However, how he does this is His will. Walking out of His will leads to twisting turns and taking the wrong path. Walking with Him puts us on the straight path. Take time today to figure out if you’re letting God make your path straight.

Daily Directive:

Answer and Journal the Following

Read:

Proverbs 3:5-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Pray:

Pray for courage to be obedient to what God calls you to do.

Meditate / Make It Real:

Contemplate and meditate on or memorize the passage. What is God saying to you? Then, determine what you will do with what you’ve learned.

Share / Show:

Share and show what you’ve learned with someone else.