Deuteronomy 5:33 NLT says, “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.”
Alyssa Klingmeyer’s story is one of staying the path. She grew up her whole life in Church. At the age of 5 years old she clearly remembers giving her life to Christ in kids Church. Since that day she has never steered away from Jesus. She used to think that she did not have a testimony. One day while talking to her husband Jared about this he said to her, “You have a testimony. A testimony of staying the path.” Staying the path is an everyday choice. Today you can start a testimony of staying the path.
Here are two things to watch out for when staying on your path. First, don’t let the decisions of others make you question the path God has called you to. The fact is as much as we’d love to think we are all going to stay the path the truth is not everyone will and we have to know how to navigate this well to continue to stay our own path! Having a friend go off the path can be hard and sad. The enemy would love to immediately make you begin to question why you are staying the path… well if they were offended at something, maybe I should be too… well if they thought that, maybe I should look at it that way too… if they think like that and see that maybe I should be seeing it like that too… and will even have you think about silly things like.. Well now who am I going to sit with? Who am I going to talk to? You cannot carry someone else’s offense. We must have our own convictions…. Why do you do what you do? Because when you have your OWN revelation of why you do what you do. Nothing will rock what you KNOW in your heart and have experienced first-hand from God. You must learn to build a foundation that is based on your own personal revelations and convictions of why you follow Jesus. You must know your own WHY… why do you do what you do?
Second, don’t let the choices of others, lead you to isolation. Proverbs 18:1 NKJV says “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.” Reach out of your comfort zone in making strong friendships and connections that will help you stay the path. Plant yourself in the house of God and watch your life flourish as you stay the path. God does not say it will be easy but He does promise that He will be with you.
When looking for a friend you want to find someone that is committed to her path and will encourage you to stay your path, a friend that will fight alongside you, and a friend that will not judge you, but also not let you go down the wrong path. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kiss of an enemy are deceitful.” You also, want a friend that is fun and you enjoy being around.
Ask yourself, Are you that friend? And maybe you are wondering how you will find these friends? First, pray them in. When Alyssa first moved here to the United States she was ten years old and suddenly realized that making friends was hard. She missed her friends back in Australia and it seemed the Church had no ten year old girls to be her friend. She went to her parents crying about not having friends and they said we will pray them in. You know what? God answered their prayers and soon there were several ten year old girls that came and wanted to be her friend, many of them which she is still friends with to this day. God is good! He answers our prayers! You can also meet friends by getting involved. Serve in Church. Join and be a part of a connect group. Joshua 24:15b NLT says, “But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Make serving the Lord a priority in your life. Today, make a decision to stay the path and be a friend that encourages staying the path. Then watch God oh so faithfully and lovingly guide you along the way!