Wandering from the Path

Scripture:
Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze straight ahead.
Carefully consider the path for your feet,
and all your ways will be established.
Don’t turn to the right or to the left;
keep your feet away from evil.
Proverbs 4:25-27

Observation: The proverbs exhort the faithful to stay firm in their path of following the Lord. The metaphors used are that of a focused, concentrated journey. We are to look forward and stay fixed on looking straight ahead. We are to focus on the path before us and on our footfalls. And we are not to turn off the path at all.

Application: I am struggling greatly with my concentrated following of the Lord's path. In my mind, my daily activity, my service ... I am wandering all over the place. My thoughts are on everything except the Lord and his word. I resist serving him. I get angry and frustrated and do not honor him. In short, I am off the path, and even when on it I am without focus, looking all around.

I wish I would be obedient. While I recognize my struggle, I also know I cannot fix it alone. I need to get back on the path, and renew my fixed gaze straight ahead.

Prayer: Lord, again I say, please help me. I need your strength and your Spirit, for I am weak. I desire to serve you with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. May I walk only your path every day. Amen.