Life on this earth is a journey. Our journey can take many different paths. Here are some verses that encourage us to keep striving to keep on the path, the course that God provides for our lives.
For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. –Job 23:11 (NLT)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11 (ESV)
Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. –Proverbs 4:26-27 (NLT)
What joy there is living in God’s presence, following the path He sets before us. We need to continually keep following God, not getting sidetracked, or pulled toward the evil one.
As I was walking through the woods, in unfamiliar territory, trying to find a particular path leading to what I thought was an open field with some picnic tables viewing a lake, the words “off the beaten path” came to mind. It also reminded me of a conversation a friend and I had a few days earlier.
It turns out I was not looking for this open field, so I went further than I should have, getting “off the beaten path.” I ended up in what appeared a dead-end spot in the woods. In retrospect, I see how getting lost in the woods added to those words of “off the beaten path.” Thankfully, I had cell service and was able to call my husband to figure out where I was really trying to go. I did recall passing the spot.
This hike was in the fall, so I found it a little challenging to find the path due to the many leaves strewn all over the ground covering the entire woods.
Think about our life before we truly came to know and love Christ.
Were we off the beaten path with the way we were living?
Maybe our lifestyle was one of lying, stealing, cheating, drunkenness, carousing, or sexual immorality, or any combination of them.
What happened to change our life?
***I bet, at our lowest point, God used something to cause us to have a “metanoia” conversion.
A Biblical synonym, especially referenced in the New Testament, for the word metanoia is “repentance.” Other synonyms are a change of heart, born again, and reformation. Translated literally, metanoia means a change of one’s mind or purpose.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” –Matthew 3:1-2 (ESV)
John’s purpose in life was to encourage people to repent, to experience metanoia in their life, and point everyone to Jesus.
***We go from living in darkness to light, the Light that is Christ.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12 (ESV)
Jesus is pure light, knowing no darkness. As we follow Him, we, too, have that light and walk in it. We shine His light into other’s lives.
Even once we come to have that personal relationship with Christ, because we are still sinners, it is easy to get off the beaten path.
How many times do we…
…do something we know we shouldn’t?
…let negative thoughts take over?
…fail to heed God’s voice?
…have strange thoughts pop into our minds?
What should we do when this happens?
–Confess the error of our way.
–Repent.
–Return to complete metanoia by changing our thinking and ways.
–Return to the Light, to Christ.
–Renew our mind with God’s Word.
The view after finding my way!
It is important to remember that we are on a moment-by-moment faith journey. We are on the journey to eternal life in heaven with our Father. On this earth, we are continually changing, improving the way we live day by day, sometimes messing up, sometimes succeeding in living the life God has in mind for us. We are not perfect, so each opportunity we mess up is an opportunity to convert our hearts and minds back to God. It is a continual process.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. –Galatians 5:25 (NIV)
Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God–what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect. –Romans 12:2 (GNT)
The woods was very pretty, especially the last picture…
When I feel “joy” at times, my mind starts to think of negative things…at times I reiminiesce about negative past events or think about “future WHAT IF events” which start to destroy the present “joy” I feel. I’m working on that though…
Your articles make me think about things in a different way which help me to realize why I feel the way I do.
Thanks so much for faithfully reading, Carm, and for this sharing. It sure is so easy to start thinking about those negative things in our life. Half of the battle is realizing it, and you do! Thank you for the blessing that these thoughts help bring revelation to you. God is good… Continued blessings to you!
Thank you for your beautiful pictures and gorgeous pictures. We have been blessed with a beautiful fall and it, along with our “pause” due to COVID, has given me and others time to reflect on our spiritual journeys.
We need to remember that our spiritual journey is a lifelong adventure – not a destination that is achieved.
May God continue His blessings on you and your family.
And, thank you for reading and the encouragement with your sharing, Sandy. Yes, I think with this “pause” time it has been a blessing in disguise to help us focus on the more important things in this life. Indeed, our spiritual journey is a lifelong adventure…a chance every day for new beginnings. Blessings to you and your family as well! 🙂