Straight Paths

Ah, more of the simplicity theme hitting home for me this month. Here is a devotion taken from the Upper Room. I like it's simple message...Peter

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

WHEN my husband and I visited Arches National Monument in Utah, we ventured onto a trail to seek a better view of a sandstone arch towering in the distance. The desert sand path quickly disappeared as we walked across a plain of huge granite rocks. There were only an occasional cactus, the rocks, and us.

Some ranger had laid a trail of rock piles to mark the way. Each small tower of three rocks had a big metal stake driven through it. I wondered why the trailblazer had gone to so much effort. The markers didn't seem necessary. With each step, we drew nearer to the arch.
When we began the trek back, we had a sudden shock. We could not see the main trail, the parking lot, or a single person. Feeling mounting anxiety, I searched for one of those markers. At last, I saw one. We progressed slowly, finding the markers one by one. Not until the last 10 yards were we able to see the main road.

Likewise, at times in our daily living we may think we can see the way to our destinations. We plunge forward, only to discover too late that it is no longer clear which way to go. We may feel confused or overwhelmed. Our God, however, knows the best route and guides us through the Bible, sermons, or a wise counselor's words. God is our trustworthy trailblazer.

I hike quite a bit here in CO. One thing I like about hiking is the trail reveals new beauty each and every time. You can hike the same path 100 times and find something new each time. It may not be a huge discovery, rather something small or insignificant. But, it's a new revelation each trip. Another thing about hiking is the change in the trail on the descent. Now, the trail is almost not recognizable. In unmarked hiking, this is not a nice surprise. It generates anxiety in our bodies. I did some unmarked hiking with Jonatha and Aidan a couple of months ago and experienced this first-hand. The only saving feture was the nearby creek. We weren't even too far from a road, and I still felt anxious and lost almost.

God never operates that way. He marks our paths. He reveals Himself in our lostness. He guides us with His loving hand of grace. We need not fear the hike, nor should we attempt to mark it with our own resources. I am challenged constantly to allow God to mark my steps and always lead me home. Take joy today knowing that whatever path you're taking, God has marked your way home and is eager for you to return. If you're on His path, take joy knowing you are in your Father's lead.

--Peter

Picture - never Summer Range, Rocky Mt. Nat'l Park (source: Around Colorado)