STOP! Turn Around! GO BACK!

June 15, 2012

Stop. Turn around. Go back. These five words came to my mind multiple times during the night last night.

STOP! 
Turn Around! 
GO BACK!

As those words would come to my mind, I would pray for my sister and brother-in-law. The analogy between the narrow path we travel as Christ-followers and the well-worn footpath of the Appalachian Trail is amazing. The occasional white blaze on the Appalachian Trail lets you know you are on the right path. If you haven't seen any blazes for a while, and if you retrace your steps and still don't see any blazes, then you KNOW you are on the wrong path. If you keep going down the wrong path you cannot make it become the Appalachian Trail by just wishing it to be so or willing it to be so. It is no longer the Appalachian Trail! You can't decide to bush whack across country to try and find the correct trail because you have no idea where the trail is. If you want to remain on the trail, you only have one option.

STOP! 
Turn Around! 
GO BACK!

The distance you need to travel may be short or long; the hills, rivers, and valleys you need to cross may be few or many; but you will have to go the whole distance until you come to the point where you made the wrong turn. Depending on how far you traveled down the wrong path, the return to the right path may be difficult and exhausting. But it is the only choice you have if you want to get back on the right trail/path.

Our Christian walk is the same. The Bible gives us clear direction. We have guideposts. If our lives are not matching up with the Word of God then we have gotten off on the wrong path. We can't make it the right path by rationalization or declaring it the right path. Our walk must match up to God's Word or it is no longer HIS path! We can't try to take a short cut and bush whack our way back. We must:

STOP! 
Turn Around! 
GO BACK!

No matter how far. No matter how difficult. No matter how humbling. (Which after all is the whole point!) There is no other choice. We must go back to the point where we made the wrong turn in order to find the correct path. We must right our wrongs. Only then! Only then can we once again be on the right path and enjoy the rewards and blessings God has for us.

STOP! 
Turn Around! 
GO BACK!

That has been and will continue to be our prayer for my sister and brother-in-law.

*****

LORD, May we live our lives following YOUR Word. May YOUR Word be a lamp for our feet, and a light for our path. (Psalm 119:105) Lord, We pray that you will continue to instruct us and teach us on the way we should go. LORD, We ask that you would continue to counsel us and watch over us. (Psalm 32:8) May we always understand that you are the one who answers our prayers and watches over us. May we take comfort in knowing that you are like a green pine tree and that our blessings come from you. (Hosea 14:8) Help us to trust in you with all our hearts and not depend on ourselves.  Direct our paths as we acknowledge you.  (Proverbs 3:5–6)


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