The World's Path or God's?

 

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. -Psalm 119:35

Do we follow God's path or the world's? Maybe we don't even consciously realize what path we are walking, and one day we ended up where we are. Maybe we don't even know that we have a choice and that there is a better way. Even seasoned Christian's may not even realize the path we are on accidentally intersected with the worlds and we've found ourselves walking the wrong way.

The world's path offers fancy things. The best dining. The best and most expensive cars, a bigger house. More stuff that we want and we think we need. The world's path offers brokenness and unforgiveness. Constant shopping and sales.  Slavery to media and pop culture. The "latest and greatest" of everything.  The hottest new movie and the new trends we have to have THIS year! We have to have the best and most tan bodies and the best cars and the newest furniture, and our kids need to go to the best preschool. Soon we have become slaves to our things, and slaves to our activities and slaves to the money it costs to pay for all of this.

The path of God doesn't ask us to be in slavery to any of this "stuff", or to anything of this world. God's path is freedom, and peace, and quiet of the soul. Walking God's path is a conscious daily choice. It doesn't just happen. It takes determination and a decision to walk on God's path each morning. Part of our daily prayers need to be for God to keep us on His path for us, and that He goes before each step we take. The enemy wants to divert our path at every turn and distract us enough that we start walking on the wrong one.

 "He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake." Psalm 23:3

Notice it says "He restores my soul, He LEADS me in the paths of righteousness." It doesn't say "maybe" He will lead me or "if He is in a good mood that day He will!" It says HE LEADS. He will lead you if you are faithful and determined in your decision. He won't let you down.

It might be hard to start walking another path than the one we are on, and make life changes. We might start to look different that "everyone" else. We should look different from the world, the world's path doesn't lead to eternal life. God's does. Maybe we need to slow down, spend more time with our children and those we love, or move to a smaller house to not feel trapped by our worldly things anymore. Maybe we need to have a lesser car payment or even have no car payment. Or watch less tv because all those shows were never required viewing by some class syllabus. We all have some area or areas that are trying to keep us on the world's path. We have to pray God reveals them and turns our steps back to His path. If we feel we are struggling to keep up with all of these worldly requirements that is God speaking to us to change our path.

God doesn't promise His path will be easy. But neither is the world's path easy! But there is a great difference.  God does say in Psalm 16:11  "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." The world does not promise fullness of joy, or pleasures forevermore. It cannot, and never will.

Walking the Christian path is not a matter of just accepting Jesus in our hearts but then continuing on our same path. It is a matter of walking a new path with Christ, however He personally leads us. God's path depends on Him leading us in ALL of our steps in all areas of our lives. He commands that we walk in His paths so that "you may walk in the way of goodness, And keep to the paths of righteousness."
Proverbs 2:20

Lord, I pray in my missteps that you will quickly lead back to your path. Lead me each day on your lighted path and guide my heart and mind in all things. Go before my steps God and lead me on your path of life.


Proverbs 3:6:

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 4:11: 

I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

Proverbs 4:14

Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil.

Proverbs 4:18:

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 4:26:

Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

Proverbs 12:28:

In the way of righteousness is life, And in it's pathway there is no death.