He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3b
I grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians so it is no wonder that I like to hike. There is nothing like taking off on a warm day, finding a path and exploring. The problem with this philosophy is I never really know where I am going to end up. Now this intrigues my sense of adventure and I always make sure I can find my way back. This is easy to do in the hills; however it would be a lot more dangerous if I were to blindly try to take off deep into some unfamiliar woods. I could become very lost and unable to find my way back home. I would never attempt to go several days into the depths of the Rocky Mountains without a guide, or at least a good map and compass.
All too often we treat life like my hill climbing adventures. We go out find an interesting path and we barrel fool heartedly down it. We have no idea where it leads, what we will find there, or what pitfalls lay before us. We are so caught up in the adventure that we often find our self far from anywhere we should or want to be. Worse yet we can’t find our way back. Now I gave you the solution yesterday when you come to your senses and find yourself in such a predicament; cry out for the Shepherd and He will lead you back home.
However, wouldn’t it be better if we decided to follow the Shepherd in the first place? After all He knows all the paths and where they lead. He wishes for us to shun the paths that lead us to injury and certain death, and instead follow Him down the righteous paths. Don’t get me wrong the righteous paths are not “safe” paths, sometimes they lead through dangerous and terrible places. To venture down these paths alone would ultimately bring the same deadly consequences as going down the wrong paths. The Shepherd however cares about His sheep, and will guide them safely past every pitfall and hidden danger.
So why not follow Him? The Shepherd gives us purpose; follow Him so that we may bring Him glory. Follow His paths, they may be grown over, they may at times lack a pretty view, but they will always lead to abundant life!
