Impact

Muddy Path?

 

 

I went running on the nearby trails yesterday morning.  It was cold and raining,

not the best of conditions.  Because of the rain, at times the path was very wet and muddy.  As I ran, I found myself being very careful

with where I placed each step of my stride.  Where the path was clear, I just ran forward with no problem as normal, however, there were times where the middle of the path was very muddy, so I ran a little to one side or the other to avoid the mud.  This went on for miles.  

 

 

I went running on the nearby trails yesterday morning.  It was cold and raining,

not the best of conditions.  Because of the rain, at times the path was very wet and muddy.  As I ran, I found myself being very careful

with where I placed each step of my stride.  Where the path was clear, I just ran forward with no problem as normal, however, there were times where the middle of the path was very muddy, so I ran a little to one side or the other to avoid the mud.  This went on for miles.  

I needed to be very circumspect with each footstep if I wanted to have a decent workout, if I wanted to run without getting totally and unnecessarily covered with mud.  A certain section of the trail had a lot of roots and mud. At that point, both my feet slipped on a slanted area.  As I was stumbling, I placed my hand on the ground, catching my balance, while my other hand and one leg was in the opposite position (picture the awkward position of one hand and one foot on the ground while the other hand and other foot was in the air).  I didn’t fall, just slipped and stumbled a bit.  If I did fall, I would have been covered with mud, slipping down the path.  At that point I thought about God working in our lives. He promises to be with us (“For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.” – Isa. 41:13and“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. (the Holy Sprit)” – Eph. 3:20, and many more verses).

As we travel down the Christian life path, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is there to guide us and helps us, when we turn our hearts toward God. When we slip, God’s righteous Hand is there to hold us, keeping us from falling (go back to the image of me slipping, as one of my hands was touching the ground, my other hand was in the opposite direction, reaching upward.  The image is that in our Spiritual walk, when we slip, He is there to hold our hand and keep us from falling). 

Fear not, for I am with you;Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Isa. 41:10

You may think, why go running in the cold rain in the first place. Why not just stay home where it is warn and cozy?  Well when I finished my run, I was in better physical condition then if I decided to just stay home.  Same in our spiritual journey, why go out and do things for God to further the Kingdom, why face a trial, why not just stay home and be comfortable?  Well, it is because when we do so (not in our strength but His) we will be in better spiritual condition afterwards.  We would have matured, spiritually, through the process.  Wherever we are spiritually, God wants to take us further.  However, this is only possible with Him, for when we do it on our own strength, without Him, we will make a mess of things.