In the book The Hobbit the is a point where the party is making their way through a woods and are instructed to stay on the path. Some point on that path it was really hard to identify where the path was going, but none the less the path remained. Of course, they eventually wondered of the path and ended up in trouble once with ogres another with spiders. Both times if it wasn’t for the reluctant hero noticing that they had left the path, they would have been doomed. As reluctant as he was he still did what needed to be done to rescue his companions. Honestly he didn’t know them that well, he was tricked into the journey, yet once on the path he understood the importance of remaining on the path.
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT
Ever see someone walking with their heads down, maybe looking at their feet or even on their mobile phones. These people have an idea where they want to go but realistically they have no vision on how to get there. Their focus is on something else. It will be ever so easy to stumble off the path they are on or hit something in their path they don’t see coming. You can’t avoid something you don’t see coming.
Solomon gave us the instructions look straight ahead when going somewhere, or in life. Be determined on your direction, be vigilant to the path you’re on and you will have a better grasp on your vision. You will see distractions, you will have time to avoid obstacles. Yet we as people are easily distracted by shiny things. It is not always easy to say no to being sidetracked. But we need to keep our focus on our destination and remember the goal is more important.
I also say this, looking forward we can see those who are sitting on the side or just off the path. We can stop to help others back on the path, this isn’t a distraction this is part of your journey. As long as when you stop you don’t lose sight of the path and the goal. Care, love and offer to walk alongside. Whatever it may take to help someone else join you on the journey to life everlasting with Jesus.
Dear Jesus, lift my head from looking at my feet, I want to focus on moving forward on the path of life. You are the reason I am alive and I want to focus on your path. Help me with head lifted high to see overs who need a hand on the sides of the path. Let me share what I know and love them as you would love them. Amen
50 Days of Pray 