Monthly Archives: June 2019

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Lost on the Pathway to Peace

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You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Psalm 16:11

As a rule, being lost causes a fair amount of frustration.  Marie and I visited Red Rock Canyon this week.  During our excursion we attempted to see pictographs on some of the rocks.  Sadly that didn’t happen. The scenic drive through the canyon is a 13 mile one way road and there was a right turn onto a short two way road that we missed.  Since we had time, we decided to circle around again.  On our second attempt, we successfully made the turn and found the parking area.  However, our lack of familiarity with the paths and the absence of a good trail map left us lost and wandering on steep and rocky paths.  Out of time and lacking good directions, we gave up our search and returned to our car defeated.  For His children, God offers a path to peace.  Sadly, we often fail to experience the fullness of tranquility, joy and pleasure that our Savior desires for us because we lose our way.  Similar to our excursion to Red Rock Canyon, it’s common for Christians to get lost on the path to peace because of ignorance, distraction or rejection. 

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Listen (Part 3) – Reassurance

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But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil. Proverbs 1:33

Reassurance is the act of removing doubts and fears.  Most people like reassurances.  It comes in many forms.  At times it’s the emotional reassurance of having a close relative or friend who walks with us in difficult times.  It may be a legal document that spells out our rights or claims to anyone who needs to know.  Another example is a simple receipt that we hang on to as proof of sale.  All of these and many more offer some form of comfort that allow us to live, work, own, or exchange without fear of being harmed or cheated.  However, when it comes to true reassurance, we look to our Sovereign Lord who is the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and life.

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Listen (Part 2) – Discipline

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He who neglects discipline despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. Proverbs 15:32

During my recent drive to New England and back, I was rounding a curve in the road using the passing lane.  A semi in the right lane put on their turn signal and proceeded to cut me off.  I was a bit irritated until a few moments later I saw that there was another vehicle in the breakdown lane.  The curve in the road blocked our view until the last moment.  The vision of the car seemed to be God’s way of adjusting my attitude about the driving of others.  Granted, I was a bit road weary and tired of being cut off by vehicles significantly exceeding the average speed of traffic.  However, in this case, I had made assumptions with limited information and errantly responded accordingly.

Discipline, rebuke, correction, constructive criticism, punishment, etc. are words that usually make us uncomfortable because the remind us of our fallibility and sinful nature.  Another challenge is that the person seeking to change our behavior is also fallible.   Consequently, the nature of our relationship usually determines how well we listen and whether or not we modify our conduct.  How we respond will also have an impact on that relationship.  The same is true of our bond with our Heavenly Father.  When He chooses to discipline us, we need to refrain from judgments about His goodness and love that undermine our relationship as we have very limited information.  Rather we ought to accept His guidance gladly by focusing on His motivation, goal and character.

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Listen (Part 1) – Instruction

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To set the tone of the post

Listen, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.  Proverbs 23:19

I have just returned from a trip that included driving 2,000 miles.  I was a bit apprehensive about the traveling that far alone as I didn’t really feel well.  This was compounded by the fact that recently Satan seems to be raising many doubts and fears.  However, as I look back, not only did God sustain and protect me, but He was also speaking to me.  Throughout the trip, He was working to reshape my thinking through instruction, discipline and reassurance.  The elements were all there, I just had to listen.  Most certainly I heard and understood the messages provided through the sermons that I listened to while driving; however, it took a near accident at the end of the trip to really get me to notice how much God had been speaking to me throughout my travels.  Honestly, I’m not sure I have gotten it all, however, over the next three posts I’d like to share how God used each of these to mature me in my faith.

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