Avoiding Being Tripped Up!

Walking around town I notice many things painted brightly to draw attention to them. That includes some of the old Victorian style houses that really stand out when you see them, but I am particularly thinking of the fire hydrants, curbs painted to mark fire-lanes and other no parking areas, and uneven sections of sidewalk. Around our community we have a lot of stretches of old sidewalk. As I take some of my walks through these areas I appreciate the bright yellow paint marking the cracked and slightly raise sections of sidewalk, making them visible long before I reach them. That clear warning saves me from FALLING because I have found it only takes a fraction of an inch rise to cause me to trip when I am not watchful. Seeing the yellow saves me from seeing the red or black and blue (and
embarrassment) that can result from a FALL.

Perhaps we would find life easier if those things that tend to trip us up and cause us to FALL were painted a bright florescent yellow. Any warnings beforehand would surely help us. But isn’t that what spiritual growth is all about?

As Peter encouraged those to whom he wrote, he mentioned things important to be added to faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. ( 2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV) Peter also pointed out that anyone who lacked these qualities was so nearsighted that they were blind, forgetting they had been cleansed from their former sins. ( 2 Peter 1:9)

I wear glasses to correct nearsightedness. That helps me see those painted sections of sidewalk in the distance. However, I also have bifocals for reading, which sometimes cause a little distortion for curbs and sidewalk cracks right at my feet. I must therefore remain watchful for the warning signs to keep me from FALLING.

Peter went on to encourage…
“Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for IF YOU PRACTICE THESE QUALITIES YOU WILL NEVER FALL.” ( 2 Peter 1:10 ESV)

Even as we go through familiar activities we must remain watchful. I have found myself stumbling over the same raised piece of sidewalk more than once. As I was hitting about the eleventh mile on my walk this morning, I just about stumbled over a very slightly uneven spot between sections of sidewalk which made me think of how we need to be extra watchful during the times we are a bit weary and worn out by some of life’s challenges. But if we remain watchful and continue to prepare our life by increasing in the qualities Peter mentioned, our life’s walk will go well.

Have a great day WALKING SAFELY ON!
Carl

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