Here Is A Challenge For All Of Us

Ps. 23:3 - "He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake."

• Story From My College Days

I remember when I was in college an older married student came to class one day and told us about his 18-year-old son. He said his son came home and informed his parents that he had just enlisted into the Marine Corp.

The father was quite shocked. So he asked his son, “Why would you want to do that?” 

He said his son looked at them with a straight face and said, “Because I am sick and tired of taking orders from you and mom.”  

His dad asked, “So you joined the Marine Corps so you would not have to take orders?”

I don’t know about you but just writing this story has me laughing.

• Which Paths Have You Chosen?

One of our biggest challenges will be choosing the “Path of Righteousness” that is right for us.
 
One word in Ps. 23:3 has grabbed my attention and it is the word “paths” of righteousness. You will notice the word is plural. We need to stay on the “paths of righteousness”.

I believe that some of our life “paths” that we choose can be more difficult than other paths.
 
Now I could be wrong here but I think choosing the Marine Corps may have been a little harder than living at this young man’s parent’s house when it came to receiving orders.

I am not saying the young man made the wrong choice by choosing the Marines because some of my greatest learning experiences have come from enduring difficult struggles. If he stayed in the Marines I am sure they changed him for the better.

However, I would imagine those first weeks of basic training were difficult especially since he didn’t like his mom and dad giving him orders.

Some times in life we try to take the easy path but I have to admit I learned more when exerting all my strength to keep my head above water.

One important thing to remember is this that because you choose a path of righteousness doesn’t mean safe sailing.

If you look back to the early disciples and apostles many of them died because of their decision to travel on the path of righteousness.

• When You Are Getting Ready To Choose A Path

Don’t choose a path simply because you think it will be easy. Choose your path of righteousness that will challenge you and when you get to the end of it you will be able to say, “That path really taught me something.”

Choose a path where you will be able to use your God given talents.

When you choose a path choose one you love and where you will enjoy your journey. 
 
My wife and I moved to a retirement community. I wanted to move not simply because they had a lot of sporting activities for adults. I came here because I liked the church we attended and was looking forward to serving my Lord there.
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• There Are Some Paths That Should Be Avoided

I will not give you a list of these paths. You are old enough to know right from wrong. Do yourself a favor and don’t go down the wrong path. Going down the wrong path can make life very difficult and expensive when it didn’t have to be.

Look at people who have gone down the wrong paths and learn from their mistakes.

• So Do Yourself a Favor and Learn From Others.

I am sure we can all look back and see some of the paths we took were harder than necessary?

I am sure we all have walked on paths we wished we hadn’t but the key is we don’t keep walking on them. Just remember whatever path you choose make sure you walk on it with the Lord.

Think on These:

A person can save himself from many hard falls by refraining from jumping to conclusions.

Everyone is capable of making mistakes, but fools practice them.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word