Devotions

Don’t Go Tripping

“That’s the boy I met at school today!” exclaimed my son.

Just entering kindergarten, I was excited to see another child Dan could connect with in our neighborhood.

Without thinking, I began yelling and sprinting across the lawn to catch up with this boy and his mother.

And then it happened.

I was suddenly airborne, landing on the hard ground and spraining my ankle.

I had tripped over a metal drainage pipe that I had not seen.

But I was seen….

By the boys kindergarten teacher who just happened to be walking her dog up the street at the same time, bearing witness to my gracefulness.

Good times.

Acting without thinking resulted in a badly sprained ankle this time.

If only I had not acted on impulse.

This is also true when I am not staying close to God.

It is easier to trip and fall.

When my focus is not on Him, I can be thrown off the path of walking in His will.

“In Scripture it says,

“Look! I am placing a stone in Zion.

    It is a chosen and very valuable stone.

    It is the most important stone in the building.

The one who trusts in Him

    will never be put to shame.” (Isaiah 28:16)

This stone is very valuable to you who believe. But to people who do not believe,

“The stone the builders did not accept

    has become the most important stone of all.” (Psalm 118:22)

 And,

“It is a stone that causes people to trip.

    It is a rock that makes them fall.” (Isaiah 8:14)

They trip and fall because they do not obey the message. That is also what God planned for them.

“But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give Him praise. God brought you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2: 6-10 NIRV

God gives us His commandments and direction to keep us safe.

When we are outside of His will, it is easier to stumble and fall.

We often react based on our emotions before thinking through to the consequences.

But we are God’s people.

He chose us and desires to be in relationship with us.

And on those days we trip and fall, He is always willing to give us grace until we get on our feet again.

But just like my sprained ankle, there may be some discomfort as we try to get back on the right path.

Friends, take the time to pause, ponder and pray before you step into your day.

It will help you stay focused on His path for your life.

And when you lose your footing, remember His mercies are new everyday.

Praise be!