April 10
Off the Path.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV)
I recently read the story of a woman hiking in Hawaii who mistakenly got off the trail. Instead of turning around, she tried taking a shortcut back to the path, but as she continued to press ahead, she would up stranded—suspended on the pinnacle of a cliff at night! Later the next day, a daring helicopter crew finally rescued her. It was not a fun experience.
Sometimes, I find myself in a similar situation, surrounded by darkness and clinging to a rock of sorts. Usually I get off-track because of something someone else says or does—something I disagree with or just don’t like. This is when I so easily get out of step with God’s Spirit. This is when I leave His path for my own wild adventure. Before too long, I find myself stranded, distanced from others, far from where I should be, sometimes afraid, and usually very unhappy.
There’s a way to recover, and it’s the same thing that will prevent me from getting off-track to begin with. It’s simple: look away from self and look to God. If I follow God’s advice and humble myself and pray and seek His face, He will work with me to get me back on the trail (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Sometimes, it seems hard. In fact, getting back may seem impossible, but really it only requires an act of God … in an obedient heart.
Done any trail blazing on your own lately? If so, ask God to show you the way back. There’s nothing He wants more.
Lord, show us the way to You. Guide our steps. Amen.
Off the Path.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:25-26 (NIV)
I recently read the story of a woman hiking in Hawaii who mistakenly got off the trail. Instead of turning around, she tried taking a shortcut back to the path, but as she continued to press ahead, she would up stranded—suspended on the pinnacle of a cliff at night! Later the next day, a daring helicopter crew finally rescued her. It was not a fun experience.
Sometimes, I find myself in a similar situation, surrounded by darkness and clinging to a rock of sorts. Usually I get off-track because of something someone else says or does—something I disagree with or just don’t like. This is when I so easily get out of step with God’s Spirit. This is when I leave His path for my own wild adventure. Before too long, I find myself stranded, distanced from others, far from where I should be, sometimes afraid, and usually very unhappy.
There’s a way to recover, and it’s the same thing that will prevent me from getting off-track to begin with. It’s simple: look away from self and look to God. If I follow God’s advice and humble myself and pray and seek His face, He will work with me to get me back on the trail (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Sometimes, it seems hard. In fact, getting back may seem impossible, but really it only requires an act of God … in an obedient heart.
Done any trail blazing on your own lately? If so, ask God to show you the way back. There’s nothing He wants more.
Lord, show us the way to You. Guide our steps. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 7:46 AM
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