TURNING POINTS

The scriptures paint the life of faith is one travel by a narrow path instead of a broad one. However that doesn’t mean it isn’t without curves or detours. It only means that the borders of your behavior are more confined, but this is by choice.

Mainly on the broad path you one is free to do whatever since sin isn’t an issue. It is a path that is basically easy to follow with less sense of restriction.

This makes it more appealing perhaps, which is part of the reason it is the one most often followed. However, with the Lord easier doesn’t always mean more blessed despite the way people in this life might view it.

Along the narrow path of trust there are those times when you do reach a curve or some crossroads. It may even seem like a change that is unappealing, dangerous or harmful in some way. Having to walk the path of faith doesn’t mean we can always see the distance clearly. There are times when it is foggy and we have no idea what lies around the bend.

What makes things even more difficult is when you stumble and fall and those who are also walking the same path decide to criticize instead of encourage. That is truly sad. There is nothing more heartbreaking than having some other Christian mock or add to your burden than stopping to help you back to your feet.

Others will simply be in such a hurry to race passed you they may not even notice that you fell. Or perhaps they will turn, wave and say “The Lord bless you,’ then hurry off without worrying if you can survive. They may been later go to church boast how loving they are and “prayed” for you.

Those are also turning points in life. I know I’ve experienced them way too often with some people. A turning point on the journey of faith can thus be a revelation as well as a point of change in direction.

That doesn’t mean we always enjoy them. We may even be left confused and frustrated in the process.

God’s promise is not to take away those moments of stumbling or keep us from the turning points. It is instead of at part of the journey where he will grant us the strength and endurance to keep walking.

Beyond the footsteps and difficult path, beyond the questions and lack of map at times or wandering in darkness, our destination is ultimately what counts the most. Some get too caught up in the landscape of this life with all its mammon flowers. They get intoxicated by the fragrances of pleasure and forget that it is fleeting.

The winds of life drift over every path, narrow or broad. What is our choice is how we choose to deal with each difference and whether then up a lure that sends us off away from our journey of trust instead of walking ahead.