Meandering Monday - Walk Straight - Martin Wiles

Welcome to Meandering Monday, where we take a trip back to an earlier post and enjoy it again.

Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble but will become strong. Hebrews 12:13 NLT

Children are vulnerable.

Mine were. They believed anything I told them. After all, I was their dad, and surely, I wouldn’t lie to them. If I told them I could catch them if they jumped from the roof of our house, they’d believe it . . . and do it. I suppose I never realized the path I walked before them was so important. I just did the usual things any good parent should have done. Read them Bible stories, said prayers with them, taught them to say grace before meals, helped them with homework, cleaned the house, helped with cooking meals, worked in the yard, and helped others. As I reflect on those years, I now realize that in all things—large and small—I walked a path before them, setting an example. They were weak, and I wanted them to become strong adults.

The church came into existence on the Day of Pentecost, not many days after Jesus’ ascension. He charged the early church with a worldwide campaign. For it to be effective, they needed to follow the straight path of obedience and morality.

As a parent, I didn’t want to mislead or confuse my children. I also wanted them to see how a mature adult should behave. Hopefully, I accomplished all three. As a Christian, I’m an example to other Christians who connect with me regularly. Misleading or confusing them is a severe matter with which God won’t be pleased.

When we love God with all our hearts—and show it by actions—we’ll give those in our circle of influence a straight path to follow rather than a crooked path. Acting out our beliefs in behavior should show a clear line of demarcation between right and wrong. Just as an adult should no longer behave in childish ways, so our Christian walk should evidence maturity and growth.

What type of example are you setting for those in your circle of influence?

Prayer: Father, enable us to be an example to those you place in our path.

Tweetable: Are you walking straight? 

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