This post is written from more from a convicted heart more so than anything else. I recall a backpacking trip I took with my wife, brothers and a good friend. That hiking trip resulted in many fond memories and funny stories. As we began our endeavor we came to a point at the beginning where we came to a lake.
The options before us were left or right. Some discussion occurred and we decided to go right. We hiked along, enjoying our time, laughing, and making great time. There was one problem, we went the wrong way! The trail we were supposed to be on was the opposite direction. We failed to see the sign, nor did we look at the map that we had with us. We simply looked at the path and picked the rout that "looked" like the way we should go. There was some humble pie we had to chew on as we made our way back to the starting point. Had we paused long enough to look, read, seek the right way we could have saved time, been on the right trail, and spared two miles on our already tired legs that still had the whole trial ahead of us. That evening we were a little more sore than we really needed to be. The wrong decision or direction can hurt.
I find in life sometimes I am making great time, moving forward with ease and sometimes little effort. Things seem to look as if I am making great strides... then I realize, this may not be the way that God has for me. Psalm 119:9-11 states: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You." (NASB95) God has given us the tools, the map so to speak to know His will, His way for us to go through this life. NEWS FLASH... sometimes it is not the easy way. But, it is the right way. You may be making great time in your hike through this life, but it is no good if it is in the wrong direction. Let me encourage you to pause, look at the scriptures today. They are God's roadmap to how He desires us to go through this life! If needed, humble yourself before Him and get back on the path He has for you!