Blog by Lydia Kicker
Of course we all know that God calls us individually to live this Christian life and follow the path that He has for us. To stay “your” path. But sometimes, other people’s paths just look so much better than my path. My path is rocky and bumpy, full of hills and curves everywhere, where it never seems like I can gain momentum or speed. And yet everyone around me seems to have an easy, smooth path that always seem to flow downhill and they always seem to know where they’re going. How come I am never on that path? It’s not fair. Her path is easier than mine and I want her path. Face it, we all think that at one time or another.
Psalm 77:19 NIV
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
Now none of us want our path to lead “through the mighty waters”. Mighty waters? That’s like “I can’t keep my head above waters, drowning kinda waters.” I don’t want that path. We all want the “He lies me down in green pastures” kinda path. We all want the “He leads me beside still waters”. But we forget that “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” is right around the corner in the next verse. You see, God never promised you a smooth easy path. What He did promise was that He would never leave you or forsake you. God is still God in the storm and in the valley just as He is in the green pastures and quiet waters.
Those rocks and bumps are not obstacles that block your path, they ARE your path. They make you who you are, honestly whether you want them to or not. How you respond to your path determines your path.
So what is “my” path? Just remember, never make your path about you, cuz it never really is about you. Your path and my path is all about others and leading and directing and showing others Jesus. It is all about Jesus. And staying your path is all about love. Love is what keeps us on our path. When we let anything creep into those small, hidden areas of our heart that is not love – that is when we get off our path, many times without us even knowing it. We start walking around in darkness and we don’t even know we are in the dark.
1 John 2:9-11 NIV
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”
We can’t allow unforgiveness and bitterness toward others, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ, to get us off our path. This is why it’s so important to have the vulnerability and openness to pray:
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
This is key to staying your path…and no one else’s of course.