God's Correction

“And I heard a voice behind me saying, 'This is the way, walk ye in it.”

Recently, I was visiting my sister-in-law and she was riding with me to a restaurant. She was giving me directions but those were interspersed with her telling me of something very sad that had happened to her. I was listening intently to her and all of a sudden she said, “Turn right at this next light.” My ears heard her, but I was thinking of what she was talking and looking at the traffic ahead and they were all turning left! So, I followed my focus and headed for the left lane! She, of course, said loudly, “Becky, you're supposed to turn right!” I was able then to move across several lanes and get into the right hand lane. Later, I was thinking how that so often happens spiritually. I know in my head what is right and the right way to go and the right thing to do. But, if my mind is engaged in another direction (what is going on in the world or what the world is saying) and my focus gets on the direction everyone seems to be heading, then my natural and strong tendency is to go in that direction, even though I know what God's Word has said and it is the opposite. And God, like my sister-in-law, has to get my attention to get me to change direction and go in the way that will get me to the desired destination. He may do this in a number of ways. It may be through reading His Word and the convicting of the Holy Spirit that I realize I am headed off the right road. He may use a sermon, a conversation with a friend. Or if I'm stubborn about going my own way, He may have to use more severe methods to bring me back. But, I am His child and He has promised to guard and keep me and He will discipline me to keep me from being lost. Though the discipline is painful, I am thankful for it. I am thankful He love me so much and He will not let me wander so far off the right path as to be lost – hopelessly lost. He is the Good Shepherd and I am His little lamb. And even if He has to break my legs, He will, in order to get my mind, will, and focus back on the right path and back onto Him. Let us be ever mindful to keep our minds, our eyes, and our affections set on Him and He will keep us on the right road and bring us to the desired destination!