Posts Tagged ‘Hebrew’

The Safest Path

This is the beginning of a new series called, “A Fresh Start”. The New Year ushers in the thrilling opportunity to make a fresh start! Beginning today… make a commitment to slow down and focus on the things that matter most. Whether your goal is to renew your mind or energize your body, or, a new set of rules to live by. Whatever you want/need, start today to live the life of your dreams! There will be a new post everyday for a week to help you start this new year off right. Don’t miss them!

Have you ever been on a trip and you thought you knew where you were going only to find out that you were mistaken? You have been there before, so you didn’t bring a map or a GPS. You know that you know where it is… you just can’t seem to get there.

Life is like that. We know where we want to go… we think we know how to get there… but when we get where we thought we should be, we are not really where we wanted to be. Is that confusing, or is that like your life?

Every day of your life is uncharted territory. You have never been there before and will never go there again. You cannot see what is coming ahead. So… how do you navigate this trip called life?

Jeremiah knew he could not plot his own course (Jeremiah 10:23).
“I know, O Lord, that man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”

This life is uncharted on your map, but plotted, charted, and already navigated by the Lord on His map (His will). It is “not your own” to chart. You know that, but do you travel like you do? Every time you step into unknown territory… you risk getting into trouble or getting hurt. I would never think of walking into a jungle without a guide that had been there many times before, would you? If you are directing your own steps… then, you are doing that very thing… risking trouble and hurt!

Moses knew better than anyone whom to follow when he was navigating one million Hebrew people on a trip (Exodus 33:15-16). “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people form all the other people on the face of the earth?” Sounds like a great New Year’s Resolution to me!

Moses knew how the trip had to be navigated if it was to be successful… and we all know what happened to him. Moses didn’t get to reach his destination and neither did the first generation that left Egypt. Why? Knowing the safest path is not enough to keep you safe on the journey, or enable you to reach the correct destination. You must constantly follow the path that is already charted, plotted, and navigated by God. That is the only way you can be in and stay in His will for your life.

How do you do that, you ask? Never take your eyes off of your pillar of cloud by day, or your pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:21-22). You have pillars just as sure as Moses did. You should be able to see them just as sure as Moses did… the only difference is… your pillar is inside-navigating from the inside, rather than the outside. That is even better than the pillars Moses had. This is how I know-how would you rather someone drive your car, from the inside behind the steering wheel, or from the hood of the car? My point exactly!

How do you make sure that the pillar is guiding you? Maybe you could start by saying what Jeremiah and/or Moses said to God (Jeremiah 10:23, Exodus 13:21-22) every morning before you get out of bed. Declare it before your feet hit the floor that you will not go on the uncharted path today… only the path guided by the pillar of your life… great starting place for this new year, don’t you think? God will do the rest.

It is the safest path for THIS new year… Happy New Year!

Following the pillar…
Kathy