Life's Path!

It has been stated that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Intending to do things is easier than following through, but we must put forth the effort to walk in a proper manner on life’s way. Paved ways are certainly easier to travel, but that is not the reality for all of life’s journey. Life’s path is not always smooth and free of obstacles.

Some of the areas I frequently walk have places where the sidewalk sections are uneven. Over the years tree roots have pushed up and tilted slabs of the concrete or the ground has settled under them. With sections cracked or where there is unevenness from one concrete slab to the next it is important to REMAIN WATCHFUL AND WALK CAREFULLY in order to avoid tripping and falling. It would be a lot easier for walking if these sections were completely replaced, but that has not been done. Instead, many of these cracks and uneven sections have been painted a bright yellow to draw attention to the possible danger. Therefore CAREFUL ATTENTION must continue to be exercised while walking.

The same is true with life. The way is not all smooth and easy going so we must be WATCHFUL AND PAY ATTENTION to the warning signs God has provided. It would be a whole lot easier if God would just remove all the cracks, uneven places, and obstacles from life’s path so that our journey would be a smooth one. Perhaps we pray for God to remove the obstacles. His answer may be for us to trust Him for guidance around and over them. He has not chosen to have them removed. We grow in character and strength as we learn how to deal with meeting them on life’s journey.

Jesus exhorted…
“(13) ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. (14) For THE GATE IS NARROW AND THE WAY IS HARD THAT LEADS TO LIFE, and those who find it are few.” ( Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

There is an easy way and Jesus noted that many have chosen it. Its destination, however, is not good. The way that leads to life has its challenges, but the effort will be worth the arrival. Therefore we need to approach life a step and obstacle at a time. The cracks in the sidewalk and uneven sections are not too much of a challenge for me as long as I am WATCHFUL and do not look off too much to the right and to the left. The same is true spiritually with the need to continue looking straight ahead.

Solomon urged…
“(25) LET YOUR EYES LOOK DIRECTLY FORWARD, and YOUR GAZE BE STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU. (26) PONDER THE PATH OF YOUR FEET; then all your ways will be sure. (27) Do NOT SWERVE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT; turn your foot away from evil.” ( Proverbs 4:25-27 ESV)

We also ought to be mindful of those who perhaps do not have as agile a faith as we might possess. Like some with physical limitations may have to be helped over curbs and uneven walkways, we may need to help others around and over the tough places on life’s path. With God’s guidance and the help of each other we can make the journey. And when we do stumble, let us simply get back up and continue on. The key to success will be in always getting up one more time than we have fallen.

Have a great day MAINTAINING A SURE FOOTING IN LIFE’S WAY!
Carl

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