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Psalm 25:4-5 – Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long. (NIV)
As I was doing some running along a lake path, I decided to do some off-leash training with my small dog, Miss Daisy. This is a path that often has a lot of runners, walkers, dogs, and even the occasional horse. There is a pretty wide path that goes along the lake, and then there are several smaller side paths as well.
What I noticed with Miss Daisy is that as we started our training, she would often head down one of the side paths, and I would have to call her back to the main path. Each time, I would say, "No Daisy, this way", and soon, all I had to say was "uh uh", and then I noticed that I didn't even have to say anything. When she saw me go past the path, she would self-correct and follow me.
This whole training period is not unlike our own Christian walk. When we first start out walking with God, there can be a lot of different distractions, and as we try to head out on our own, God calls us back to the right path and to following Him again. It can go on that way for awhile, until we almost know instinctively not to stray away from the known path. The key is to know where we are in relationship to the One whom we are following.
It reminds me of the well-known Psalm 23 where the psalmist talks about following His shepherd through green pastures and quiet waters and even through the valley of the shadow of death. For the sheep, it is about the relationship with their shepherd. For Miss Daisy, it is about her relationship with me. For us, it is about our relationship with God. If we stray away from the path or from where God wants us to be, we need to heed God's voice that calls us back. What is even better is when we are able to correct ourselves, like Miss Daisy, who was able to tell without my saying a word that she was headed down the wrong path.
It is good for us to take a look at where we are. We need to ask ourselves if we are on the right path. Are we where God wants us to be? If not, we need to listen for God's voice and get back on track.
Prayer: Loving God, we thank You for Your guidance in our lives. We thank You for all the times when You have been there for us even though we strayed away. We are especially thankful for the times when You have called us back to Yourself. Thank You for never giving up on us. Help us to find our way back to You. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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A hearty Amen Ruth.
Thanks, Ruth for inspiring us so beautifully.
What a perfect illustration. Thank you Ruth.
Lovely devotional today Ruth. Thanks for sharing your insight.
Good morning Ruth, I thoroughly enjoyed your Devotional today. Your message is so true and was expressed so well. Thank you and enjoy your day.
Dear Ruth; You are a precious friend to me. A very special Servant of The Lord in all that you do. You are walking down the path that He has chosen for you. He will Bless you in it.
Very good Ruth. I enjoy your illustrations.
I imagine you are settling down after your trip.
We are at camp and feel God is using us here.
Blessings.
Good Morning, Ruth:
You wrote, “When we first start out walking with God, there can be a lot of different distractions.”
How well I know this, and after 45 years walking with God, there are still distractions. Thank God he is merciful, and willing to forgive.
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for sharing this insight with us. I loved your story and the perfect analogy too. I liked the part where we can eventually correct ourselves when we know we may be heading down the wrong path. This speaks of maturity in our Christian walk. Praise Him!
(California USA)
Hi Ruth,
Your Miss Daisy sounds so much like my Sparky, trails, and all. Just when I think he’s gone he comes tearing back as I continue to walk along the trail past the little path he’s been on.
Your comparison to our walk with the Lord is right on, and I am so grateful.
Thanks for this reminder that speaks so clearly to my heart.
Thanks for sharing.
How wonderful to know our Saviour will always direct us on the right path. Blessings.
Dear Ruth,
A precious devotional. Thank you. May the Lord, who loved us so much he saved us by shedding his own blood on our behalf, keep us safely on the path of lIfe.
Have you read the book, “Heaven is For Real?” It’s a true story of a young boy’s unusual experiences of heaven, written by his father, Todd Burpo, published by Thomas Nelson, 2010.
Keep writing,