Have you ever noticed how you are always looking forward to something? It's that anticipation of going somewhere special or doing something you really like, and even being with someone you really enjoy. Think about for a moment and ask yourself what you are looking forward to.
- It could be you are looking forward to the weekend.
- Maybe you are looking forward to a lunch or dinner date with someone special - perhaps a spouse, or one of your children, or even a friend.
- It could be you are looking forward to buying a new car.
- Or, perhaps you are looking forward to your next paycheck just so you can pay some bills, and it has nothing to do with excitement, but just survival.
Soon, questions then arise, such as,
Q: How do I get there?
Q How do I obtain those things I desire?
The answer to these questions can take a million different paths and are dependent on the person's desires and goals and spiritual integrity.
It really does amaze me on how much energy we will spend on putting together intricate plans to achieve these goals we so much desire and look forward to. We will work feverishly, putting forth extra effort, including overtime. We will save money and put it aside, stockpiling it with hopes of accumulating enough to obtain more possessions. We will practice long hours, honing our skills and abilities so we might sit atop the winner's platform in a sports activity. All this to say, our time, money, efforts, and abilities are sometimes taxed, and even misappropriated as we will pull out all of the stops to achieve our goals.
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:2-3 (NKJV)
The point is, we are continually looking forward to something, and trying to figure out how we get there. This is not necessarily a bad thing, especially when we are looking forward to things such as, reading our bibles, going to bible studies or church, or serving the needs of the body of believers in the ministry. What can be wrong is when we don't desire to have a relationship with God, but desire only the things of this world. Or, when we simply put the desires of the world ahead of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
I believe this problem arises because we are asking ourselves the wrong questions. Our questions should not first, and foremost, be centered how we should get there, or how we can obtain our desires. Our questions should instead be centered on the object of our desires and in our end destination. We should instead be asking ourselves questions such as,
Q: Where am I going?
Q: What do I desire?
Jesus told us how we could know where our heart was by finding what we treasure the most.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NKJV)
The way I see it, Jesus had it right when He said we were sheep. You see sheep tend to follow. The question we must ask of ourselves is,
Q: What or who am I following? Am I following the desires of my heart, or am I following the Lord, His Word, and His way?
God told us He would guide our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6), and Jesus also said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." (John 10:27)
Hey Christian, we should be reminding ourself each day of whom it is we have proclaimed to follow. We should remember we will be tempted to veer off the proper path continually. We need to continue to focus on where it is we are going. We have eternity just ahead - let's not veer off the path today leading to eternity spent with our Lord. Let's keep our eyes fixed upon Him and His Word - let's ponder the path were on and make an adjustment if we need to right now.
Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil. Proverbs 4:25-27 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn about our fleshly nature and God's guiding wisdom for keeping us on His path today from the Scriptures contained within this devotional?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you one of Jesus' sheep? Do you know His voice, and are you following it, or is it something else catching your attention?
APPLICATION: Stop and ponder the path you are on today. Is it one following in the footsteps of Jesus, or is it veering? Make the adjustments necessary to get back on the proper path. Ask God to show you and guide you back - it's as quick as repenting of anything not in His will and choosing to follow Him and abide in His Word.
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