Are You On His Path?
I once taught a Sunday School class of teenagers. One day we were having a discussion about following Jesus and making right choices. One of the teens asked, “Why doesn’t he just make us do what we’re supposed to do?” Now that would solve everything, wouldn’t it? Not!!!!
God created us with the power of choice and he gives us the freedom to choose. He could make us do what he wants, but we could end up with rebellious feelings and frustrations. God wants people to love and follow him, and do his commandments, because they choose to, because they choose to love him. We are created in God’s image, so just as we would not value a relationship because someone was forced into it, God does not want that kind of relationship either. The wonder of love is that someone chooses to love us out of their own volition; that they have chosen to love us out of all the people in the world.
Psalm 77:19 says “Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen." The path the Israelites walked out of Egypt led through the Red Sea, but it was not the path they chose, it was the path God led them on. It was his path; they had to choose to walk it.
God has a path for each of us to follow. It’s his path, not our path. We can choose to walk that path, or we can choose a path of our own, which always leads to disaster. But the choice is ours. It may lead through mighty waters and difficult times, but if it’s the path God has chosen for us he will lead us through. He has a purpose for the path he chooses for us.
1 John 2:5b-6 says "This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." The Amplified Bible says “to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.” How did Jesus walk? In obedience to the Father.
Walking in obedience is not a heavy chore. It is an act of love to the Lord. Jesus said “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
It’s not God’s purpose to make our lives difficult and miserable. He has come to give us abundant life. He knows that the path he chooses for us will be the very best one. All we have to do is follow it with Him by our side (and sometimes carrying us!!!)
Naomi Brinkman
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