Paths

Paths were created to be followed which we learned one year when the Girl Scout troop that I led ventured off the beaten path.  For some reason my husband, Danny, came with us on this specific field trip to the Girl Scout camp.  That was unusual as was his approach to hiking. 

Being a fairly hot day, while mistakenly taking a relatively long path, we were all dragging.  Not being sure how far our campsite was, increased our mental fatigue.   Danny announced the site was just over the hill.  The only problem was that there was not a path leading up the hill. 

We split up, he took several girls and I kept several with me following the path.  Shortly after they headed up the hill, I heard a scream, and another and another.  There was a ground nest of wasps that they had walked on. 

I ran over to grab the girls…it was like running in slow motion.  Every step seemed to take minutes at a time.  Danny and two girls had already crossed the nest, which left two girls just entering the wasp zone.  Positioning myself between the remaining two and the angry wasps, we ran back to the path. (Amazingly I did not get stung). 

I yelled to Danny to take the girls up so they would not have to back track over the ominous nest.  Fatigue disappeared as the adrenaline rush set in.  All the girls who were with me now picked up their pace as we sprinted back to the camp… to safety, to medical care.  Surprisingly there were only a few stings and thankfully no one was allergic to them. (FYI, Danny’s group did get there much faster than us.)

Paths…God created paths for us to follow too. (I bet you knew where I was going with this.)  My trusty (?) internet browser tells me that in the ESV translation, there are 84 Bible verses with either the word path or references to it. 

I know that whenever God repeats Himself in His Word, I better pay attention to it.  So, with 84 references, there is no doubt I need to take time to dwell on the concept.

Though I have read the Bible cover to cover several times, I have yet to focus on all 84 references (I do think it will make a great study).  But from those I have read, I see I must focus on the Lord; listen to Him to hear His direction; and boldly move forward in the path He has set before me. 

How do I know I am on the right path?  I see fruit and receive blessings as I walk with the Lord.  I feel a peace inside, and I consult with God as I take steps forward.  Asking Him to shine His light on the path He chooses for me.  Because I certainly don’t want to stray off His path and get stuck in a wasp’s nest.

“Do not turn right or left, keep your foot from evil”   Proverbs 4:27

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”  Proverbs 4:18

“Your words are like a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path” Psalms 119:105