Choose the Path With a Hope and a Future

Pathways: a trodden way, a track specially constructed for a particular use, course; route, a way of life, conduct, or thought; the continuous series of positions or configurations that can be assumed in any motion or process of change by a moving or varying system. (Merriam-Webster)

There are 106 mentions of a path or paths in the Bible that I've counted. Maybe more, but that's as far as I got.

The word pathways has been on my mind A LOT lately. God is really using it in my life, in more ways than one. I might even post a small series about pathways, we'll see. Just the other day I was in a discussion about why, if God knows the hardships or failures you're going to face along a certain path you're confident HE chose for you, why did He set you on that path? If we are certain it was HIS will for us to walk that path, why does it seem like HE set us up for failure?!  

In this particular case we were talking about relationships and why they fail, if it is God who brought the two together in the first place. Why would He bring two people together, if He knew their relationship would fail miserably and painfully? Then, this thought came to mind: There are many paths in life to chose from. We are not puppets on strings, God is gentle and loving, He won't force us follow the pathway He set before us. He knows what's along the way and at the end of each path, His and the ones we humans create. 

Often we start out on His path, but we get distracted by the world and its many pathways, we take detours, scenic routes, and sometimes get lost. It can be like getting lost in some deep dark woods, until we call out to Him and he gets us back on track. Sometimes people get so lost they forget where they were supposed to be going and who set them on the path to begin with. 

People lost and on the wrong path or no path at all get scratched by the thorns as they try and squeeze their way through, fall into pits, and get trapped in all sorts of snares from the devil. Many of these offbeat paths will lead to dispare, shame, guilt, or even death. God knows this, it ISN'T HIS will for anyone to perish. So why does He allow such things? In truth, we allow it. Most, not all, of the trials are brought on by our own willful actions or the actions of others. God does not want to see His children go through such trying times, but He'll allow it and in the end use it for His glory and to grow us in ways we never knew. 

18 “But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness   I will create rivers in the dry wasteland."

(Isaiah 43:18-19)

I've learned a few things on some of the paths I've traveled in life. When it's really rough and you want to know how God's going to get you through it all, know he'll do one of three things: walk you through it, deliver you from it, or take you home, as long as you keep your eyes on Him, if you trip and fall He'll catch you and redirect you, recalculate your GPS. Stay on His path the best you can. Avoid shortcuts trying to do it your own way. Doing things our way will often lead to pitfalls.

"The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

(Psalm 32:8)

"They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path."

(Psalm 37:31)

Which path will you choose? Choose a path with a hope and a future, God's path.