The first Bible verse I memorized in childhood is Proverbs 3:5-6 RSV, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. The NIV ends verse 6 as, He will make your paths straight.
What do these verses mean? As we acknowledge Gods authority and welcome his direction over our life, He will lead us on safe and straight pathways.
In all your ways means all times. Not only when we know we are on the right path. He wants us to turn to him when we know we are on the wrong track. When we have made poor decisions, even one after another. When we are feeling lost, we can find direction. In hard times, when we fall, he picks us up. As we wander crooked pathways, he will help straighten out our steps.
He not only guides us, he removes obstacles from our path. Obstacles such as too much noise from the world or too much busyness. We are bombarded from TV, computer and phone. We are over stimulated from constant busyness, events, celebrations, appointments. We are over committed with work, church, community, and family demands. Even good things, in too large amounts, can be detrimental to our peace and to us remaining firmly on the right path.
What did Jesus do when he found himself overrun with questions, commitments, demands, people?
Luke 5:16 NLT, Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. He placed himself in desolate surroundings, a quiet, serene space without distractions. He turned to the One that is trustworthy. Jesus understood needing to be filled up with God before he could pour out to others.
Much like a car needs to be refueled, so Jesus knew he needed to be refueled, refilled, and refreshed by God. We, too, need this refilling and will find it in time alone with God to pray, listen, and read his word.
Yet, we need balance in this. It is too easy to isolate oneself. When life is overwhelming or disappointing, when people have betrayed or demanded too much, we may be tempted to hide. Through on-line options for shopping, visits, business meetings, even medical visits and fitness classes, one could live completely removed from society.
Isolation becomes a habit, an easy solution, a seemingly safe way to avoid the heaviness of this world. Yet, in Hebrews 10:25 we are encouraged to not isolate: Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. Why? To find encouragement and to give encouragement. To find refreshing, hope, advice, friendship, relief, strength. It takes a decision and determination to face life. Getting together with others, staying involved in real life, will feed ones soul.
Proverbs 3 reminds us to not rely on ourselves.
As we acknowledge we are lost, trust in Gods leading, we will find the path that leads to life.
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