Take Firm Paths
- elizabethswinningw
- Jun 21, 2017
- 4 min read
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 22:3
For many years, the opening segment of "The Wide World of Sports" television program illustrated "the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat" with a film clip of a painful ending to an attempted ski jump. Most of us can still picture the scene in our minds! The competitive skier appeared to be in good form as he headed down the runway, but then for no apparent reason, he tumbled head over heels off the side of the jump, bouncing off the supporting structure down onto the snow below.
What many viewers didn’t know—even those who saw the video clip over and over again—was that the skier chose to fall rather than finish the jump! Why? As the skier explained later, the jump surface had become too fast and, midway down the ramp, he realized that, if he completed the jump, he would land on the level ground beyond the sloping safe landing area. If the skier had gone through with his jump, the landing could have been fatal—so he chose to tumble off the runway rather than complete the jump. He eliminated himself from the competition rather than risk serious injury, or even death, on a path destined to end in disaster. Surprisingly, the skier suffered no more than a headache from the tumble.
And so it is with us. There are times when we realize that we are in a position that puts us at great risk mid-way through a venture. Momentum is carrying us in a direction that can only lead to disaster. We are on the fast track to having a financial, moral, or spiritual train wreck—and we know we must do whatever it takes to get ourselves off that course and back onto the right path. Perhaps we have gone ahead with plans and actions we knew the Lord could not bless from the outset, but we proceeded in spite of the Spirit’s clear warning. Suddenly we have come to our senses and we know that God cannot and will not bless this endeavor, no matter how fervent our prayers! Our only alternative is to stop what we are doing before momentum takes us to a place where we will risk serious consequences, even if it means falling down in our tracks.
Sadly, even when we clearly see that we have taken the wrong path and know that we are careening toward impending doom, we often lack the courage to change course. Maybe we tell ourselves that to stop now would make us look foolish—or like a failure in the eyes of those watching us. Perhaps we are considering the feelings of those involved in the ill-fated endeavor with us, knowing they will be disappointed if we suddenly stop. Often we find ourselves secretly hoping God will bless us, protect us, and provide for us even though we know that Jesus clearly warns us about putting God to the test.
To change one's course in life can be a dramatic and sometimes painful undertaking, but a change of course is better than a disastrous landing at the end. If today you realize you are on a path that is taking you away from God and His abundant blessings, do whatever it takes to stop what you are doing before it is too late. The minute we change our direction, our God is there to help us; to bless us, to comfort us, and to show us the right path. Today is the day to consider your ways—and to take only paths that are safe.
If we don’t change when we see the light,
We’ll change when we feel the heat.
~~Rich Warren
A Question to Ponder: “If today you realize you are on a path that is taking you away from God and His abundant blessings, do whatever it takes to stop what you are doing before it is too late. The minute we change our direction, our God is there to help us; to bless us, to comfort us, and to show us the right path.” Ponder paths you may be taking that are not part of God’s will for you.
A Prayer to Offer: Merciful Father, thank you for having compassion on me. You realize I am human, made from the dust of the earth and prone to sin and error. Thank you for sending your Spirit to convict me of sin and guide me into all truth. Yes, change is painful, but I know you cannot bless me until I let go of the things that displease you. As much as I might like to tell myself otherwise, you do not reward bad behavior. Forgive me, gracious Lord, for those times my actions and attitudes have offended you. Set my feet on firm paths and give me a willing spirit to sustain me on the journey toward health and wholeness. Give me the courage to do what is right, even when no one is looking. And most of all, keep me sensitive to the promptings of your Spirit, living in me, giving me guidance and counsel each step of the way. Today I will consider my ways and make necessary adjustments. You died for me. Help me to live for you. Amen.
An Action Step to Take: Picture the scene in your mind. You are careening down a path that can only lead to disaster. Next, take time to think the scene through. What do you need to do to avert calamity? Talk to God about it, and then determine to do whatever it takes.
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes,
he will guide you into all the truth.
John 16:13
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