Paths

I must admit I quite enjoy rabbit trails. These can be great fun and creative or an interesting ‘what if’, but they are or can be dangerous. I suspect that this is part of the charm. Fortunately, I have learned to be keenly aware of my path and not veer to far off of it (never out of sight). An excursion (into a rabbit trail) is, or can be, a different way of considering an issue, problem, study, etc. But it can lead to a rabbit trail of a rabbit trail to the point that the main path is completely out of view and lost.

Do you feel that you are on the path the Lord wants for you? If so... how do you know? And if not... do you want to get back on the path - if so, you'll need to honestly consider how and why you got off the path. The Lord said

  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it." [Matthew 7:13-14]

This gives us a gigantic clue. Do we, right now feel, 1. a bit put upon, nothing seems to be going 'right' and you feel somewhat stuck in a bramble patch or 

2. life is smooth and easy, you aren't really being asked to do or be anything in particular. If 2 then you need to take another look at what's happening around you and what you are doing. Granted there are seasons of rest, but that's different. If, on the other hand, you feel like #1. Reassess. Because this may be a time of training, of testing. But never forget these 2 kinds of paths - and know yours.

Now... how can we judge if it's a season or we got off of our path? There are suggestions found in Matthew 7:

 

   “Beware of the false prophets, [teachers] who come to you dressed as sheep [appearing gentle and innocent], but inwardly are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them [that is, by their contrived doctrine and self-focus]. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the unhealthy tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit." [v. 15-18] 

Fruit bearing is never 'by accident' it comes from the inner parts of us. Look at Ephesians 3:16, Psalm 15:6, Proverbs 20:27, and 2 Corinthians 4:16. These are only a few of the scriptures that talk about the inner man from which our behavior and words stem. We never truly are accidental in our words... at least that's my opinion. Fruit is the best 'tool' in our assessment arsenal. To be oblivious is harmful to all. 

When it talks about looking at the fruit that is visible... don't ignore your own. It also tells you what you are demonstrating. If you are on your path you will have good fruit to share. And a word of correction is not construed as 'bad' fruit. It may be incorrect or not complete but it always tells us what others are seeing and that's invaluable.

Paths. Rabbit or not give us understandings and growth. Rabbit is a short time, short distance 'what if'. But don't be led by what if's - they can be dangerous to your health. Look around. Is where you are your path? If not... do you know how to find yours?