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Matthew 7:14 – But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. (NLT)
My sister-in-law, Sharon, and I enjoy getting together for a weekly visit over coffee. Sharon has also written several PresbyCan devotionals, and one day over coffee we were discussing one of her recent devotionals entitled Watch Where You Are Going . In it, she referred to John Bunyan's classic, Pilgrim's Progress. I have read this timeless allegorical tale before, but our conversation motivated me to read it again, though this time, instead of reading the book, I listened to it in a recorded version.
As is usually the case when I reread material, I noticed things in the story this time that I hadn't particularly noted before. Pilgrim, a Christian who has entered the Gate of Salvation, is journeying the narrow road to the Celestial City. Bunyan cleverly gives self-descriptive names to places and characters in his story, so that we can usually determine which are good and which are bad. It is clear that the Slough of Despond, Doubting Castle, Vanity Fair, and the Valley of the Shadow of Death are all places that will cause Pilgrim difficulty along the way. We know that Apollyon and the Giant Despair will be his arch enemies.
Pilgrim's difficulties and enemies sometimes come in subtly appealing forms, however. A soft, grassy path alongside the narrow, rough road leads him astray. A peaceful, shady arbour lulls him to sleep. Pliable and Fair-speech try to get him to turn back.
We can learn, as Pilgrim does, that steadfastness and faithfulness are required to complete life's journey successfully. We may be on high alert for obvious hindrances to our Christian walk, but we must also be wary of people and things that seem to be innocuous, though they are, in reality, potentially dangerous.
We face daily choices, and whereas choices between right and wrong or good and evil may seem to be clear, things aren't always that black and white. We are often faced with choices that would seem to be good but which may not be good in the long run.
What seemingly innocent or harmless things do we need to watch out for, lest they weaken our life of faith?
Matthew 10:16 – I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as serpents and harmless as doves. (TLB)
Who do we need to be discerning about, lest we be led astray by their teachings or advice?
2 Corinthians 11:14b-15a – Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. (NIV)
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, we need much strength and wisdom as we face life's journey. Help us to be alert to dangers around us that would cause us to stumble in our walk of faith. Give us needed discernment in avoiding appealing temptations. Amen.
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Thanks, Gail, for the sage advice.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
On our life journey we need to look for ways we can love and serve others, not just ourselves.
Beautiful, Gail! Brings back so many memories of previous readings! What a great book! Blessings on your walk today.
Amen Gail. How true it is…so many ways we can be pulled off the path and not even realize it for quite some time.
Blessings.
Gail, its great that coffee conversations stimulate and motivate us to thoughtfully consider spiritual truths and their applications to our daily lives. Thanks for your well-expressed thoughts.
Good morning, Gail,
We do have choices indeed, may we, with God’s help, always make the right ones. Thank you for your good words.
Blessings.
Greetings Gail and thank you for another of your special devotionals. Yes, it is so easy for us to let our mind go astray on other things when it is so much better for us to focus on our loving Saviour. Blessings for these writings you do. Much appreciated.
Great lessons!
Thanks for sorting out the relationship with Sharon…wondered if it was a daughter! How special to have a sister-in-law that shares your faith AND writing skills!
May God bless you both as you walk the Pilgrim Path!
(BC)
Good morning, Gail,
It is always nice to learn of connections in the Presbycan writers. Interesting that yesterday was one of Sharon’s devotionals. You are blessed to have a sister-in-law who shares your faith.
I definitely understand that we can be lead astray by pleasant temptations which appear to be good. I believe that the Holy Spirit is there to help us discern some of these temptations. I relate your message to some sweet, delicious dessert like butter tarts which are so tempting, but in the long run, if we indulge too much in them, they are not good for our physical health. We have to watch out for those temptations which are not good for our spiritual health.
Great passages from the Bible to remind us of God’s wisdom on the narrow road.
Maybe you join Sharon in her water exercise classes. May you enjoy your day with a watchful eye. Blessings.