Clear Trails, God’s Path

Hurricanes and summer storms uprooted trees. Branches fell. Torrents of water created gullies where there used to be a sandy trail.    

One of my favorite trails to ride my horse became impassable from one end because of the huge tree that lay horizontal. Hollow, dead, crushed at one end.

The clear trails are those which are bush-hogged, trimmed, maintained with care and attention. The trees stand tall with limbs shading the path. These trees protect the horseback rider, or hiker, from the blazing summer sun and offer a lovely carpet of leaves on a brisk, fall morning.

As we travel these paths we can savor the beauty of creation. Birds, sunsets, flowers, and floating butterflies are there for us to enjoy.

To remain clear the paths must be tended. Fallen branches might need to be moved out of the way. Grass and weeds have to be bush-hogged and trimmed.

The trail blocked by the fallen tree was no longer passable and the other end of it lay uncut and overgrown with weeds. In a similar way, if we ignore God’s path it will become overrun with the fallen branches of sin, and the weeds of indifference will block our way.

Imagine the joy and beauty we experience when we allow God’s Word to bush-hog our hearts!

“All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies,” Psalm 25:10 (NASB)

 

 

Passion is a driving force

Passion is a driving force

What does searching for a lost horse and stopping a quarrel between 12 year old girls have in common?

 

For background information –

The other day, 12 year old girls got into a spat at a softball game. Pulled hair, pushing at each other, and name calling resulted. One mother stepped in to defend her daughter, leaving the other mother standing speechless.

A horse that I’ve taken care of over many years was sold to a new owner. The young lady who previously owned this horse is trying to locate the new owner. She wants to ensure the horse is happy and well cared for. Through social media, the search for this horse (Chloe) has expanded to several states and hundreds of people.

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I put lots of time in sharing the photos and posts of the horse on Facebook. Made flyers to post in feed stores and at horse events. Spent brain power on “who to tag next”, “where else can we put flyers”, etc. I feel passionate about this horse and the search to find out if she’s safe.

In Luke, Chapter 15 Jesus tells parables of a “lost sheep”, a “lost coin”, and “the prodigal son”. Each of these stories reflect a passion to find that which is lost. The father of the prodigal son even comes to the son’s defense in the face of his envious brother. 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+15&version=NASB

A mother (or father) evokes passion in the defense of their child. God is passionate in our defense too.

A searcher harnesses his (or her) passion in the quest to locate the lost. God is the Searcher who is pursuing the lost. His passion is all-consuming and He will not cease to search and find those who are His.

I’m grateful that we have a God who is more passionate than a defending parent, more passionate than a shepherd looking for a sheep, more passionate than those who spend hours hunting for that last coin.

His passion is everlasting and is a Driving Force. He asks us to share in this passion by telling others of Him. Of Jesus. Of His love. Let’s keep looking for the lost.

 

 

The Maze of Life

Have you ever been lost and didn’t know which way to go? Struggled to see the end of the path, only to find out there are several turns? Wanted to get to the finish line, but the finish line wasn’t close enough? Which direction to turn? How far until the end, the answer, the finish, the solution?

Well, if you are out enjoying autumn fun in the countryside these are the questions posed while navigating the corn maze. Increasing in popularity, these treks can be torture (for older ladies like me), challenging (mothers with small children may find it so), but still – fun.

Following Jesus is a lot like walking through a corn maze. You don’t always know which direction to turn. You can’t see the path ahead. We will make wrong decisions. But, just like the staff members watching over the maze and its travelers, God watches over us. He can set our feet on the right path. He can block the wrong direction and tell us which way to turn.

For the corn maze, there is a map, and the counsel of the people who work there. For the maze of life, we have the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit.

Don’t stay lost.

“… He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” Psalm 23:3 (NASB).

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