The Paths We Take

Have you ever felt a little inadequate next to someone who seems to have it all together? I don't generally compare myself to other people. I'm a firm believer that God has a specialized plan for MY life so I'm not in competition with anyone.

But sometimes...

I think about the big plans I had for my life when I was a teenager. Nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, went as planned. There's been plenty of good along the way. There's been plenty of stress and trauma, too. I've often wondered what my life would be like today if I had done some things differently.

Proverbs 16:9 says A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

This scripture means a lot more to me today than it did back when. While I fell off the path for a while and caused myself a lot of grief, I see how God used that time to teach me some very important things. The things I learned then were necessary for the ministry I have today. Things like loving people where they are and not judging, no matter what.

There will always be people around us that seem to have it all together. It's tempting to feel intimidated by that. But, if you get that the Lord is leading you on a particular path so that His purpose can be fulfilled in YOU, you'll quickly realize there's no reason to compare yourself to others.

I think about it like the miniature golf course in my area. There are three different courses. Each course takes a different path. If I'm on the one that goes under the waterfall and you're on the one that goes by the bumper boats, you may be closer to the seventh hole but it means nothing on my course.

If you're wandering down a path leading to nowhere, I highly recommend turning your heart to God. He loves you with an everlasting love. His ways lead to joy and peace. I have stepped off the path and detoured through the woods before. Misery. But when I turned around and began making my way back to God, He met me right there in the woods and walked me all the way back out. Thank you, Jesus!

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10

In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. Proverbs 3:6

The way of the [consistently] righteous (those living in moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relationship of their lives) is level and straight; You, O [Lord], Who are upright, direct aright and make level the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous. Isaiah 26:7