You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalms 16:11 NRSVUE
During COVID, we often took our dogs, Chace and Bella, on a walk at Easton's Natural Resource Trust (Sheep Pasture). Chace, our elderly Maltese, loves these walks because we will let him off-leash. He is free to wander and sniff to his heart's content. The English Pointer, Bella, loves these walks because she can stretch her long legs. Before you know it, if we aren't watching, we are way in the lead, and Chace is twenty feet behind. He is not paying attention to where we are, becoming distracted and off doing his own thing. But when you call, "Chace, front!" he scampers up the trail to rejoin us. This wander-call-reunite action happens repeatedly during our walks. Each time, Chace responds to the command he's known since he was a pup running up the path to rejoin us.
How often are we like Chace? Although we know God has set us on the right path, we are often off doing our own thing. We become distracted by earthly temptations and need to catch up. Christ watches out for us; he doesn't want us to wander off and become lost. If we are listening, we can hear him call us by name: come to me, walk with me. When we are reunited with Him, we experience great joy because we know that is where we should be. Though tempted by fleeting pleasures, it doesn't offer the same satisfaction as the eternal.
Loving and compassionate God, we thank you for the path of life you have set for us. We ask for your forgiveness when we become waylaid by distractions and wander from your path. Thank you for calling our name when we stray. Help us to listen for your voice. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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