A Change Will Come When The Door Slams
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. (Proverbs 14:12-15 ESV)
Jesus spoke a proverb two thousand years ago: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14).
Throughout our lives, we come upon forks in the road. Our choice in these moments makes little difference for the first few steps. Before long, however, the distance between these divergent paths widens, eventually resulting in vastly different destinations. Few look far enough down the path to see where small steps increase take us. But wisdom begs us to discern the direction of our decisions. How can we see farther down the path so when you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble" (Proverbs 4:12)?
We don't just choose a path; the path chooses us. Our chosen path reveals what's in us, not merely what's ahead of us. This is also the truth of Proverbs 11:3: "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Psalm 37:23-24 says, "The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand." This is an incredible promise. When we choose the Lord's path, even when we stumble (we all do), he grabs our hand like a good father and keeps us from falling.
Wisdom beckons us to look far enough down the path to see where it will lead. This was partly what Moses was suggesting in some of his final words to the Israelites: "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19).
The younger we are, the more shortsighted we are. Kids seldom value brushing their teeth, doing homework, eating vegetable, showing up on time, or just saying "thank you." But these micro-habits have massive directional implications. Little matter much in the moment, yet the trajectory is set for our future self. Young people haven't lived life long enough to see where the path lead. Older people know that by the time you experience the effects of decisions, it is too late to undo them.
Think about this: This is why elders people are invaluable. They are experience to our decisions. While teenagers are frustrated with their parents, who can't seem to see what's happening right around them, the reality is that teens can't clearly see what ahead of them. This truth is easy to see in others. Only wisdom helps us see the truth. Ultimately, we are a window into God's will. Listen to his call in Isaiah 48:17-18: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea." Wisdom is not merely choosing the right path but inviting the right partners to journey along with us.
Meditation In Action: 1. When have the consequences of a decision been very different than you expected? 2. We understand that our chosen path reveals what's in us, not just what's ahead of us. How do your past decisions reflect your inner values and priorities? 3. What practical steps can you take to anticipate the long-term consequences of your decisions?
Meditate on: Matthew 7:13-14; Romans 2:6-8; Galatians 6:7-8
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness.
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