In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
I like to start each day with a 3-5 mile walk. I rise up early and get outside before the sun comes up, and while I walk, I pray. It gives me a chance to focus on the Lord, in the quiet of the morning, before the busyness of the day sets in and clamors for my attention. One morning, earlier this week, something happened that drove home the point of Proverbs 16:9. While walking one of my usual routes, I came to the place I always turn and noticed someone on the road ahead, sitting on a bike; it was not someone I had encountered on any of my previous walks. He was talking aloud, but appeared to be alone and wasn’t on a cell phone. Most of the roads I walk are well lit, but this one road, on which I only travel a short distance, is quite dark. I hesitated for a moment as a thought popped into my mind, “Don’t turn down this road, just walk straight today.” Though that seemed like the safest choice, my pride kicked in, and I determined that I was not going to allow anyone to deter me from proceeding down the road I wanted to take!
The stranger on the bike followed close behind me, weaving as he rode, intentionally making me aware of his presence. This continued for about 10 minutes until I was past the dark area and back on a well traveled road, lined with street lights. I’ve no doubt it was the Lord’s voice telling me to walk straight that morning, yet because of my pride I chose to ignore it. Although I suffered no harm, I certainly could have; and the distraction of being followed robbed me of my ability to focus on seeking the Lord, until I was safely back in the light.
Walking with the Lord is the most rewarding and valuable thing we can do during the course of any day. Yet, as closely as we walk with Him daily, it’s easy to do just about everything spot on, and still allow an opening for the enemy or the ways of this world to get us off path.
Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways. Proverbs 2:12-13 NIV
The Lord establishes, along with His purposes and plan for each of us, the path in which He wants us to travel. In our daily walk, and our life long walk, we are to walk in the light and avoid a path of darkness.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 1 John 1:6 NIV
We must be sure to allow Him to guide us, and we must trust in Him. For while we travel on His path, we will see the full glory of God, and continue to be able to honor Him.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 NIV
Seek Him, pray to Him, find Him, and walk with Him along the path He has provided for you – Today.
-Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas