Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
When we follow and worship God, life makes much more sense. This life may not be the easiest, but we know webare going the right way.
A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.
Isaiah 40:3-4, ESV
At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.
Our sins have stacked up to heaven, deeper and more vile than we could know.
The sin we all commit and have committed have left rocks in our path that we trip over, created potholes that we stumble in, and knocked down debris that block our way and push us to different paths.
The Prophets of old worked to prepare people for God.
John was born to begin preparing hearts for the coming Messiah, claiming he was the fulfillment of this passage. (Matthew 3:1-3; Luke 3:1-5)
The Baptizer called us to repent, to change our thinking and actions, to prepare for our Savior.
We still struggle to be clean and clear, to obey and love.
Yet, God came to us, He comforts our souls and does the initial work of removing those rocks, filling the potholes, and moving debris from our way.
We can prepare ourselves by seeking our Creator and Savior who is capable of leveling out our lives, knowing that only in Him is it completely possible.
We will still stumble and deal with consequences for our sins, but the way is made easier in Christ.
May we seek the Lord who helps us, preparing ourselves by seeking His path.
“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, ESV
Our world either wants to earn their own way to salvation or think they can get there anyway they choose.
We know it is in Christ alone we are saved, and it takes personal sacrifice to follow Him.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9, ESV
We may think we know what’s best for us, but God is moving our lives from behind the scenes. Sometimes He gives us what we want, and sometimes we’re happy with it.
“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, ESV
We should not be surprised that “the world is going to hell in a handbasket,” for we have been warned by Jesus. It does not mean we should like it.
We should strive to make sure we are on the narrow path and bringing as many along for the ride as we can.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!