"Good Walk Spoiled!"

A couple days ago -- as I was walking past our local golf course -- a golfer preparing to putt across the green toward that particular hole waved to me and asked how I was doing. During the course of our brief conversation, in view of my walking he made the comment regarding the game of golf: "Sometimes they call this a good walk spoiled." Certainly, out walking the fairways -- going up and down the hills of the golf course for nine or eighteen holes -- can be a wonderful walk. However, such can be spoiled in the mind of the golfer when he finds himself continually sending the golf ball into the rough, out among the trees, into the sand traps, or into the ponds of the course, thus changing a "relaxing" game of golf into something quite stressful. Perhaps too many such encounters have caused some to give up the game!

When we consider LIFE'S WALK, there may be a number of things that can ruin or spoil it. Just like the weather can put a damper on the pleasure of taking an afternoon stroll, the world's climate can impact our view of life as we journey on. If we are not careful, we can become anxious, depressed, and discouraged. Ultimately such a perspective can lead to giving up. May we have the courage to press on even through life's storms. Let us not allow the world to ruin or spoil our WALK WITH GOD.

However, it is not only elements around us that can ruin or spoil a good walk. The wrong focuses from within can impact us as well. As Moses was renewing the covenant of God with the nation of Israel at Moab, he urged toward continued faithfulness in the WALK WITH GOD.

We read . . .
"(18) Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or clan or tribe whose heart is turning away today from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations. Beware lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit, (19) one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I SHALL BE SAFE, THOUGH I WALK IN THE STUBBORNNESS OF MY HEART.' This will lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike." ( Deuteronomy 29:18-19 ESV)

The New Living Translation reads, "(19) Let none of those who hear the warnings of this curse consider themselves immune, thinking, 'I AM SAFE, EVEN THOUGH I AM WALKING IN MY OWN STUBBORN WAY.' This would LEAD TO UTTER RUIN!" [NLT © 1997, Tyndale House]

This was a warning for the whole nation because the choices of a few could impact others. However, the warning to avoid stubbornly following our own way is one to still take very personally. If we are unyielding to WALKING IN THE WAY OF GOD, ultimately our life is going to come to ruin! We have deceived ourselves if we think we can do our own thing and still receive God's blessing.

Let us not allow our walk with God to become a "good walk spoiled." His Way is a "fair way" that will lead us safely through the "rough" spots of life and around the "traps" and on to a glorious eternal future with Him. May we remain faithful and submissive to His Will so that our WALK WITH GOD will remain a good one!

Have a great day WALKING IN THE WILL OF GOD!
Carl

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