Each of us chooses our path in life. Indeed, there are things beyond our control. Except for Jesus, no one has ever had a choice about who their birth parents are. Some health conditions are outside our control. But for the most part, much of our life remains in our hands. As 2022 is coming to an end, I have been thinking about this year’s journey and how it fits into the path of my life.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
– Proverbs 3:5, King James Version
The early path I chose.
I’ve shared before how I was not raised in a Christian home. If there’s anything I could share with young parents raising children it would be the importance of sharing your faith with your children. There is no more important God-given duty and honor than raising your children in a Christ-centered home. Teach your children the importance of prayer and until they can read, read the Bible to them regularly. Let them see you pray, read, and share in your faith actively. Help your child get a start on the right path – the path that will lead them to a strong and personal relationship with the Lord.
When I left home at 18, I was not ready for many of the things I would encounter. I had a full orchestra scholarship through a partnership at a community college and local university that paid for all my education.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
– Matthew 7:13, King James Version
On a path of pain and destruction – and didn’t know it.
There is nothing sadder than seeing people who are on the path that leads to pain, suffering, and destruction, and they don’t even know it! But in 1988 and 1989, I was on that same path, too. I was trying to find my place in the world. Sadly, I didn’t realize the mess I was making in my life. Because of alcohol, I began missing classes. I knew I needed help and began attending a small Baptist church. But as I have shared before, when I went forward during the invitation seeking answers, I didn’t find them.
Being baptized and attending church didn’t do anything for my emptiness. It only intensified the guilt, shame, and need for something else. Another semester passed, and my alcoholism intensified to the extent my scholarship was revoked. I had two options – tell my parents about my problem or find a solution. So, at the end of the semester, I decided to join the Army.
The broad way leads to destruction…
So many have gone along with the crowd – not just now but in each generation. Today’s college students have been swept away by the crowd, too. They are carried away with the current mentally and spiritually destructive fads and trends of our present time. We often focus on the spiritual aspects of sin but fail to consider the physical and mental aspects of sin. I’ve often wondered if this could be one of the many applications of this verse.
None of us want to admit when we feel our life is out of control. It is hard to reach out to parents and other family members. When you’re not raised in a Christian home it is even more difficult to reach out to God. It is even harder to reach out when we know our actions caused the spiraling out of control. We will look for anything to give us a sense of meaning or bring purpose to our life.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
– Proverbs 16:25, King James Version
Jesus is the only answer.
I made many mistakes in my life until I was saved in 2006. If you watch me too closely, I still make mistakes now. But what makes the difference is Jesus. Unfortunately, many of the mistakes I made earlier in my life impacted others – not just me. I have children from failed relationships. They will always bear the emotional scars of those relationships and the damages caused by them. I know many of the hardships my adult children face in life are because I did not do what was right long ago. God does forgive us when we ask for forgiveness of sin. But the consequences of our actions remain. Ask David. He was a man after God’s own heart. And he endured hardships of his own making.
Rocks in the path of life will always be there.
The image for today’s post is a good representation of my life. It’s not straight or without its obstacles. Sometimes, it disappears from the foreground, and big rocks are in the way. I’m pretty sure if there were a picture of the path behind, it would be equally, if not more, concerning. But knowing I have Jesus in my life now makes all the difference. Before I had Him in my life, I faced everything alone. I did what felt right then and wasn’t aware of the long-term consequences. I lived for the moment.
The rocks in my path are still there. Sometimes it is easy to focus more on them and find a way around them. But now, I have Jesus. He is my Lord and Savoir, best friend, and advocate. Whenever I am faced with something I do not understand, I go to Him. I seek His will; however, there are times I am impatient and act out of impulse. He is still there to forgive and carry me when I cannot stand alone.
The path He’s placed me on now is a narrow path.
There’s something to be said about the Lord’s plan for each of us. Earlier in life, I wanted to study music theory and composition. Music has always been a part of my life. My goal was to teach music at a community college or university and compose music on the side. I teach at a community college, but I teach World Civilization and U.S. History. But I have an opportunity in this vocation where the Lord has placed me. I cannot share my faith in class. But I can share my faith during office hours if a student asks me. Usually, the conversation begins, “How do you keep everything together?” And I can answer, “Jesus…”
My path hasn’t been an easy one. But I want to finish the race stronger than when I started. The Lord has blessed me in ways I do not deserve nor would imagine in 2006. As 2022 comes to an end, I look at the world around us and wonder what 2023 will bring. I just hope that He finds me worthy of the calling placed on my life.
