Moving in the Right Direction
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21 (NIV)
Today, let's immerse ourselves in the liberating truth that God's wisdom and guidance can transform the most tangled paths of our lives into straight roads that lead us to Him.
One of the central themes in Scripture is this idea of two paths. It seems there are often two different choices we can make, one that leads to life and the other to death. Adam and Eve could have chosen life, but instead, they made the choice that led to death and the fall of all mankind (Genesis 1-3). Abel chose the way of faithfulness, while his brother, Cain, chose the way of murder and deceit (Genesis 4). God gave the Israelites the choice between either life or death, prosperity or destruction (Deuteronomy 30). Jesus contrasted the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7). There are literally hundreds of examples of people in the Bible who'd been given two different paths from which to choose.
Have you ever stopped and realized you'd been headed in the wrong direction? If you're driving in an unfamiliar town, in the dark, in the rain, this can be very frustrating! All of us, at one time or another, have said something like I wish I could do that over again. And thankfully, all of us, at one time or another, have chosen the right path. We've felt and seen outcomes from both scenarios. Let's pause more often and ask God for guidance and discernment so we can keep moving in the right direction.
You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.
C. S. Lewis
Application: Pause and consider the direction of your life. Reflect on where you were a year ago and imagine what life will be like a year from now if you either stay on the same path or decide to go a different route. Where are you headed? What direction do you want to go?
Prayer: God, since You know what's ahead of me and the choices that are best for me, I ask You for help and guidance. I want to choose the path You have for me so I can move in the right direction. I ask You for wisdom and discernment and that I would hear Your voice leading me on. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?