A Straight Path

This afternoon while sitting on the screen porch which overlooks our pond, two doves flew in and landed just a short distance from where I was seated. They poked around a few seconds and then began to make their way to the water’s edge. Their path was not straight. It had a prominent zig-zag pattern to it. I couldn’t help but consider my own path …. to the Living Water. It was a bit zig-zaggy as well. Although not a straight path did they make, they arrived at their desired location as did I.

I’d like to go to Matthew 7:13-14 which says, “Enter ye at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is they way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. “

Matthew says the gate to life is straight, but notice he didn’t say that the way to that gate would be straight! We all have a different story of how and when we were saved. Yes, I am sure there are those who did have a straight path to salvation. I would guess more would be like me in that sometimes I got off that path and if you could see the form that path took, it would be that familiar zig-zag pattern. The important thing is that I found my way back on the path and like the doves, arrived at my destination, the place of eternal life!

May I encourage you today, that if you find you have taken a step off the path, or you feel far from God, read John 15:16, and He will remind you that you are a chosen and ordained member of His family.

Ponder these words from songwriter Charles Converse:

Do you know that you were chosen Long before the world began That by God you were selected And appointed for His plan? Something in your inmost being Tells you this is surely true.

(The Pond - 2016)