Lent Day 13
Good morning!
Today, we are reading Psalm 119:105 and Psalm 85.
JRR Tolkien is quoted as writing, "Not all those who wander are lost." You can know where your final destination is and still explore the path along the way. You don't have to put your head down and trudge along, ignoring the world around you. You can take notice of the beauty of creation around you, stopping to admire this or that along the way, but continuing along on your journey with the knowledge of your destination still being clear.
As God has promised to be a "light to my path" and "righteousness will go before him to prepare the way for his steps", we can wander through life with God without losing our way. Yet, we will find times that we have wandered from God and need to return to the path of righteousness that is well lit.
We are asked to reflect on the question: "What is the difference between wandering from the Lord and wandering with the Lord?"
I find that the primary thing in my life that causes me to wander from the Lord is when I listen to other voices, make a decision without considering God's promises, and then spend my time, energy, and resources on those things that seem too good to be true. God is likely rolling his eyes at me when I begin to look at those often-shiny things that pull me from the well-lit path of righteousness.
When we wander with God we continue to live in His promises. God's destination remains known and true in our heart, yet God allows us to see many different ways to get to the same place. I'm not talking about universalism here, I'm talking about the many opportunities that God puts before us to share the love of Jesus Christ with different people in different ways that may have never been done before. We are called to wander along the path, providing on ramps for others living in the wilderness, outside of the well-lit path of righteousness that leads to eternity with God.
What on ramps are out there that you've come across when you've wandered with God?
Blessings,
Pastor Jesse