Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. (Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG)
This is one of the sections of Scripture that is foundational to the beliefs and values that I model my life after. In many translations verse six say “and he shall make your path straight.” As I have been on a personal retreat these past couple of days reflecting on this verse has caused me to ponder on a couple of things.
First, our part in this verse involves two dos and a don’t. We are to trust God with all our heart and to listen to or acknowledge him in all we do. We are not suppose to solely rely on our own understanding. Second, God’s part or God’s promise is a straight path or keeping us on track.
I am entering my 53 year of walking upon the earth. The last 33 or so have been as a follower of Christ. There were times when I followed closely and other times when I wandered away. If I thought about it long enough I am sure that I could trace my closeness or distance to God directly to how well I was living out my dos (trust & acknowledgement) and my don’t (my own understanding). The thing that makes me stop and wonder though is the path that I am on. If I look at it from one perspective (mine) it certainly doesn’t look to straight.
I often joke about the fact that I’ll just keep going to school until I figure out what I want to be when I grow up – talk about an eclectic educational resume…
AAS (water/waste-water technology) —> BS (environmental science) –> MS (environmental studies) –> MA (theological studies) –> Certificate (post-secondary teaching) –> DMin (spiritual formation). My work resume is just as eclectic – public works, TA, historic site guide, researcher, teacher/administrator, itinerant preacher, pastor, tech guru, instructional technologist. This educational and work pattern spells out the last 35 years of my life. Now I ask you would you call this a straight path?
AAS (water/waste-water technology) —> BS (environmental science) –> MS (environmental studies) –> MA (theological studies) –> Certificate (post-secondary teaching) –> DMin (spiritual formation). My work resume is just as eclectic – public works, TA, historic site guide, researcher, teacher/administrator, itinerant preacher, pastor, tech guru, instructional technologist. This educational and work pattern spells out the last 35 years of my life. Now I ask you would you call this a straight path?
From my perspective this has simply been an eclectic adventure through life. But from God’s perspective it has been about relationships, disciplining (both receiving and giving), equipping, learning to trust, seeing God provide, and stepping out in faith. Every step that has been part of this adventure I can point out examples of how God was there guiding my steps, making my path straight. But those stories will have to wait for another time.
What I want to leave you with today is the question “How has God been making your path straight or how has he been keeping you on track?”
