Straying Off the Path

by Catherine Osornio
Published September 26, 2005

My neighbor called to me the other day as I was walking up to my back door. I turned to look at him, and as I did so, my foot slipped off the footpath and twisted, causing a shooting pain in my ankle. It wasn’t a bad sprain; just enough to be uncomfortable and make me wince every so often.

I was reminded how easy it is to stray off the path God calls us to pursue. When we get distracted and turn our attention from our course, some type of injury often follows. Sometimes the injury is slight; a good reminder to keep our eyes forward and on Jesus. Sometimes the injury is more severe, and the way back onto the path is a long and arduous process.

The Apostle Peter was defying the laws of nature when he walked on water on the Sea of Galilee. Once he took his eyes off of Jesus, however, and looked upon the circumstances that surrounded him, he started to sink. What a comfort to know, though, that as soon as he called out to the Lord, help was immediate!

Our help is immediate when we call to God. He is waiting for those who have wandered to turn back to Him. Sometimes we don’t see the help right away. We are too caught up in our troubles or in the consequences of our actions to see God at work; but He is working.

Of course, it is better to stay on the path of righteousness; but if you have found yourself stumbling because of distractions, or wandering because of other pursuits, be assured that God is waiting for you to call so He can direct you to the right path again.

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