Staying on the Path - Martin Wiles

My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. Psalm 17:5 NLT

Some paths lead nowhere.

My brother and I once hiked in Panthertown Valley, just outside of Cashiers, North Carolina. Although a beautiful place, it is confusing. The map I purchased at a local hiking store didn’t help. The trails through the valley are evident, but they aren’t blazed as most places we had hiked were.

Choosing the trial we wanted to hike, we launched out for a day of enjoyment—until we summited a mountain and the trail suddenly ended. Going back the way we came was an option, but a long one. I consulted the map and my compass and selected another way. The way involved bushwhacking down the side of a mountain—and a lot of uncertainty about whether we were going the right way—but we finally made it back to the main path that led out.

Walking on a well-worn path where tree blazes are evident is more comforting. Having a book that describes the trail and what I should observe along the way is an added help. Wavering from the path leads to getting lost—not something I’m interested in doing. Neither was the psalmist. His steps remained on God’s path. He had no desire to waver from it.

God’s main path leads to heaven. He wants everyone on it. The way to get on it and stay on it is simple: believe Christ paid for my sins, ask for His forgiveness, and obey His commands. Seems simple enough, until I face temptations and trials that attempt to cover the path. But God is faithful and will keep the path in plain view if I remain close to Him.

God’s path for my specific circumstances is not always so clear. Following what He wants me to do at any given time—in relationships, employment, career, college, finances—challenges my faith.

While the path to heaven never changes, the path for what God desires I do may change numerous times over my lifetime. Staying on the path takes effort, but God provides the means to do so. By praying—not just repeated words I toss out before I go to sleep—by knowing biblical principles, and by listening to the opinions of spiritually mature friends, I can remain on God’s path for me.

God never intends to hide His path from you. Just ask, and He will always make it plain.

Tweetable: Where is your path leading you?

Prayer: Father, make Your path clear for us, and then give us the faith to walk it fearlessly. 

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Purpose Driven - Martin Wiles

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV

“I’m in the middle of the road with a flat tire. Can you tell Dad to come and help me?”

My daughter was under the gun. She had given her landlord the notice she was moving out by the month’s end. Though she took a few days off from work, she hadn’t finished as much as she anticipated. On her last day off, as she rushed back and forth to the storage shed, a previously patched tire decided to leave her stranded in the middle of the highway—with three children in tow.

My wife and I hurried to her aid—not knowing whether we could help or not. We both suffer from back injuries and changing a tire isn’t what it used to be. I managed to loosen the lug nuts but couldn’t figure out how to remove the jack.

Frustrated, my daughter called a cousin who is a mechanic. Without effort, he removed the jack and changed the tire. When I commented on how easy he made the job look, he said, “Everyone has a purpose.” His was to help people who had mechanical issues with their vehicles.

Paul reminds me that God not only has a purpose but that He also works to fulfill His purpose in my life.

Discovering God’s purpose is essential for living the abundant life Jesus promises. God’s ultimate purpose is for everyone to know His Son as their Savior. He works to fulfill that purpose by sending His Spirit to convict people of their sins. He calls some into full-time mission work to take His message of love to those who haven’t heard. He calls others into full-time work to equip believers to do the same in their everyday worlds.

God wants us to know and experience His love, draw closer to Him, and then make His love known to the world. We were created to have a relationship with our Creator. We don’t have to be a career preacher or missionary to share God’s plan with others. Living out God’s love in my actions, attitudes, and words accomplishes His purpose. My cousin can do it as a mechanic. So can the attendant at the office store, the teller at the bank, and the CEO of a major organization. And so can you—wherever God places you.

Don’t wander through life wondering what your purpose is. Live a purpose-driven life now.

Prayer: Father, help us live with purpose by making Your love known through our daily experiences. 

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Pointed in the Right Direction - Martin Wiles

Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6 NLT

Though I could see the tower from my front porch, its being near did me little good.

My wife and I were living in a small town in Lowcountry South Carolina. Like many others, we had decided not to forego a landline and use our cell phones only. The trouble was reception was terrible.

Since I could see our provider’s tower idling less than one mile away, I couldn’t understand why I had to stand near a window or go outside for others to hear me clearly or to keep from dropping a call. Until I called to complain.

“I’ll put in a work order,” the customer service representative said as I explained my dilemma.

A few months later, I called back to find out the results. “Well, the satellites on the tower are pointed away from you,” I was told. “They always point them in the direction where the most people live.”

“Can’t you just send someone out to point them in my direction,” I queried.

She laughed and said, “It’s not that easy.” 

At some point, I guess they did because reception improved. It reminded me of how important it is to have things—myself included, pointed in the right direction. The wisdom writer thought so also. Trusting in the Lord with all one’s heart and seeking His will in everything I do keeps me on the right path.

Being pointed in the right direction means I have to walk by faith where I use a sixth sense, rather than the five I normally use to interact with things and others. 

When I walk by faith, I proceed through disappointing times believing God will construct things for the better in the end. When I walk by faith, I face financial setbacks with the hope God will remain true to His Word and take care of my needs. Hitting relationship snags isn’t a problem either. I believe God will guide me through them as well by unkinking the kinks. Nor is needing daily guidance a problem for a future seeing God. I may not be able to research the answers I need, but the inner prompting of God’s Spirit will give me insight. 

Point your life in the right direction, and be amazed by how straight your path will become. 

Prayer: Father, thank You for the promise of Your guidance when we set our sights on You. 

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