"I run in the path of your
commands, for you have set
my heart free.”
~Psalm 119:32~
~Psalm 119:32~
I
love
the image of a heart set free to run in the path of God’s Word. Running in obedience out of
love----that’s
intentional. There are treasures at
the
end of that trail. Sometimes it’s a
long-distance marathon and sometimes a dash of shortcuts, but it takes
dedication with a willingness to press in with more than just a slow
jaunt.
I enjoy hiking in the mountains, taking pleasure in God through his creation. There is almost always some kind of refreshing adventure involved that frees my heart from the normal patterns of life. Arriving at some feature at the end of the trail, like an overwhelmingmountain view
A bunch of us were hiking on a trail in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. It was too steep to run, but several of us did get ahead of the pack in our advance up the mountain. Often, a mountain trail contains a number of switchbacks to make the climb more manageable and protect the environment. Assuming that was the case on a particular section of the trail, we decided to take a shortcut and avoid all the boring switchbacks.
Departing from the trail made by many others before us ended up not being a shortcut. We ended up on the wrong mountain. The others arrived at the destination, a pristine mountain lake, before we did. Some would say we wasted a bunch of time and almost got lost. However, we also discovered a wonderful view from the mountain we hadn’t anticipated seeing. There were two lessons I took home.
First, not all trails are shortcuts---especially the ones we carve out ourselves. Before making departures from established trails and proven steps, it is good to pray for wisdom and direction and insure that every step is in line with God’s commands in His Word. Some shortcuts might not put us further ahead on the trail. We may get off track and not end up on higher ground. We might waste time and even threaten the advance of other people.
I also learned that God does sometimes does take us on shortcuts to spiritual growth. Often that happens through rough runs, hard hikes, trials, and even suffering. It might be a tougher climb with steep terrain not negotiated by others walking in the same steps. However, at the end of that trail we might see some delightful sights, maybe even places others don’t get to see. We might get glimpses of God not common to all. There might be great moments of worship and celebration in the discovery of new places, people, and circumstances with elevated views.
So, I’m not afraid of leaving the well-worn path, in fact I find it adventurous to journey toward green pastures not inhabited by masses. Sometimes it is exciting to carve out a trail into new territory. However, I recognize the need to make sure it is still the straight and narrow way being led by the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10). I pray that your journey these days is full of both adventure in new discoveries and yet the wonderful stability of following those who have gone before, running in the path of God’s Word. For that we have been set free, and HE is the reward.
<>I enjoy hiking in the mountains, taking pleasure in God through his creation. There is almost always some kind of refreshing adventure involved that frees my heart from the normal patterns of life. Arriving at some feature at the end of the trail, like an overwhelming
A bunch of us were hiking on a trail in the Rocky Mountains of Montana. It was too steep to run, but several of us did get ahead of the pack in our advance up the mountain. Often, a mountain trail contains a number of switchbacks to make the climb more manageable and protect the environment. Assuming that was the case on a particular section of the trail, we decided to take a shortcut and avoid all the boring switchbacks.
Departing from the trail made by many others before us ended up not being a shortcut. We ended up on the wrong mountain. The others arrived at the destination, a pristine mountain lake, before we did. Some would say we wasted a bunch of time and almost got lost. However, we also discovered a wonderful view from the mountain we hadn’t anticipated seeing. There were two lessons I took home.
First, not all trails are shortcuts---especially the ones we carve out ourselves. Before making departures from established trails and proven steps, it is good to pray for wisdom and direction and insure that every step is in line with God’s commands in His Word. Some shortcuts might not put us further ahead on the trail. We may get off track and not end up on higher ground. We might waste time and even threaten the advance of other people.
I also learned that God does sometimes does take us on shortcuts to spiritual growth. Often that happens through rough runs, hard hikes, trials, and even suffering. It might be a tougher climb with steep terrain not negotiated by others walking in the same steps. However, at the end of that trail we might see some delightful sights, maybe even places others don’t get to see. We might get glimpses of God not common to all. There might be great moments of worship and celebration in the discovery of new places, people, and circumstances with elevated views.
So, I’m not afraid of leaving the well-worn path, in fact I find it adventurous to journey toward green pastures not inhabited by masses. Sometimes it is exciting to carve out a trail into new territory. However, I recognize the need to make sure it is still the straight and narrow way being led by the voice of the Good Shepherd (John 10). I pray that your journey these days is full of both adventure in new discoveries and yet the wonderful stability of following those who have gone before, running in the path of God’s Word. For that we have been set free, and HE is the reward.
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