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Last winter, my husband and I served as volunteers at a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base near Tijuana, Mexico. We volunteers had been invited to our leaders' off-Base home. After a relaxing time in their cozy home, we decided to walk home. It wasn't far. I was chattering excitedly to Terry about something that seemed important at the time, and I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Bang! A curb tripped me up and I landed hard on my face, knees and elbows. My glasses crashed against the sidewalk; I sat up in a daze and wiped a spot of blood off my face. My glasses, mercifully, were not broken, but one arm was so loose, I soon got new frames before my glasses fell off completely. My beautiful dark purple eye was a reminder to be discerning.
“My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.” (Proverbs 3:21-23 NLT)
What are some things that trip us up in our lives?
* As I walked, a curb stood in the way of a straight path before me. It was higher than usual, so potentially created an obstacle to trip over. In our Christian walk, any thought or desire that stands in the way between us and God can be a hazard along the way. Let's be aware of things or activities that may be innocuous in themselves, but that hinder us from going forward with God. “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”(I John 2:15, 16 NLT)
* As I walked, I was distracted by my own agenda. I obviously thought I had to tell Terry something right then, instead of waiting. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” ( Proverbs 16:18 Amplified Bible) We can so readily think our way or idea is the right way to go, instead of putting God first and asking Him where He wants to lead us.
* As I walked, I wasn't really paying attention to where I placed my feet. “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.” ( Proverbs 4:25, 26 NLT) We have to have discernment to see what's ahead of us. Not a long distance ahead, but far enough ahead to see where to go next. The Word of God has been called our roadmap to show us the direction to go. Google maps even shows a blue line with a moving dot to keep us on track.
* I was tired as we began to walk home. Negative emotions like worry or physical or mental tiredness, for instance, will wear us down if we aren't on guard. The enemy likes to strike where we are weakest. Being aware is the key. “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7 NLT)
“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” ( Psalm 119: 165 NLT)
Lord, help us to “walk” through this life God's way instead of our way so we won't be tripped up. In Jesus' name. Amen
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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