The Path

"You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalms 16:11 NIV

Yesterday afternoon, I took our dogs, Chace and Bella, on a walk at the Natural Resource Trust (Sheep Pasture), in Easton. It is a place Janice and I have taken the dogs often during COVID time. Chace, the Maltese, loves these walks because we will let him off-leash. He is free to wander and sniff to his heart’s content. Bella, the English Pointer, 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. When you call, “Chace, front!” he scampers up the trail, quickly catching up. This repeatedly happens during the walk, but he responds to the command running up the path to rejoin us each time.

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 temptations and fall behind. 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. We are so happy when we reunite with Him. The joy we experience, the eternal pleasures that await us, are superior to those fleeting momentary distractions we find along the way.

Loving and compassionate God, we give you thanks for the path of life you have set for us. We ask for your forgiveness in those times when we become waylaid by distractions, wandering off the path. Thank you for calling our name when we deviate. Help us to listen for your voice. In Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Blessings!

Pastor Tim