Wayward Walking

Walking in the woods today I was going over a very familiar path, but lo, most of the trails were now covered over by a blanket of color. As I continually found myself getting off track, it reminded me of the many similar times in my journey with the Lord that I also take detours. I am not talking about huge scandals or anything like that, I am talking about the daily battle of dying to self, not relying on me or my circumstances, listening to the siren song of the world, or on-going forgetfulness of just how dependent I am on Jesus. I am convinced that it is in these little waywardnesses of life that the larger scandals are then born. Read what James has to say about what gives birth to sin and how it occurs:

^13"When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

^16"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."

How often in a day am I tempted to think that I am in control, that I can change my families hearts, that I can change my own heart, and that I can get to a place where I slide through life on my own? There is not a day when I am to forget about the battle, and my heart has to continually be steered back on the path when the leaves of pride, self-righteousness, and self sufficiency cover my path. The continual battle for sanctification is and will always be fought in whether the Word of God is supreme in my life. It must be read, studied, applied and obeyed, in order to know just where to trod.

As I was re-walking the paths that I had already gone over at least once, it reminded me of just how much I need to get my map from the only one who knows where I am to go next. That path maybe the path of suffering, where disappointment tries to over take me, and then I am to recognize that all good gifts come from above, and they are often come in wrappings that I would never choose.

Isaiah 30:21 (New International Version)

²¹ Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."