A beautiful Thing

The Lord has set me on the path that lays before me. He has placed markers along my way for me to follow so as not to stumble and lose my footing.

His quiet steps beside me and whispers of wisdom assures me of His presence.

Along this fore-determined road have been dark days and sunlit mornings, self selected detours, mountaintop experiences, times of utter despair, and moments of glory.

I don't look back much, but what the past has taught me is to never lose sight of the face of Jesus, and never, ever let go of His hand. staying close is my place of real security; of peace, and of joy.

Probably, not unlike yourself, there are things in my past I would like to redo, but maybe that's the point...just maybe I wouldn't be at the place I am today if I hadn't experienced the results of those self selected detours I mentioned. Just maybe, the greatest lessons learned were in the darkest hours at the lowest depths. 

My family and I were on vacation one summer when my daughter was young. I kept reminding her, because the shops were busy that time of year, to stay close and not to get distracted and wonder off. We walked out of the store expecting her to be right beside us. I abruptly stopped when I realized she was not there. A thrill of terror shot through my body at the realization. Just then she came bursting out the door of that store with her own moment of terror written all over her face. Her first words were, "why did you leave me!" Lesson learned; she never wondered off again, and I was most careful to never let her out of my sight.

I know this is not the perfect illustration because God has promised to never leave me or forsake me. Even when I cry out, "why did you leave me," He's been there. It was me that lost sight of Him.

Do you suppose there is a thrill of terror that stings the heart of God when we lose our way?


My point is,  there is a result that follows when I allow the distractions of this world to cause me to forget that my security is in staying close to Jesus. Because those times of indiscretion were so painful, I eventually learned that staying close is a beautiful thing. I also learned, the longer I'm in my God's presence, the less alluring the world has become. 


copyright 2/16/2015