Which Way Should I Go?

The scarecrow in the Wiz felt lost in his initial predicament, stuck up on the pole. He thought, if only I could get down off this pole, I could be something. He just needed to get down and everything would be better (you’ve been there before, right?). Finally, someone helped him down, helped him get on his feet (literally), and sent him on his way. Once down, he realized he didn’t know which way to go. He had no direction—he was still lost. There were multiple ways he could go but only one way was the right way. The scarecrow like many Christians, lacked direction. He was eventually given direction (follow the yellow brick road) but he had to make the decision to follow that direction.

Christians can feel lost also. Sometimes, they don’t know what to do even though the Lord has given clear directions. He has given clear consequences for going in a way that opposes God’s Word. Proverbs 14:12, says there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is the way of death. There is a way that SEEMS right (which means it isn’t right) and going that way leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13 says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and there are many who go in by it.” This is a reminder that we should not follow the crowd – the crowd enters through the wide gate. “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14). There again we have clear direction – take the road less traveled. Everyone, even the believer, will lose direction at one time or another. Even the “best” Christian, the most seasoned saint has either literally or metaphorically been lost.

The good news is God is a God of direction. He gave us His Word to guide us. Psalm 119:105, says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” You cannot get more literal than that? The psalmist said that God’s Word guides Him like a light. The entire Bible is the Lord’s instruction for the Believer. The Believer cannot go wrong if those instructions are followed. Isaiah 30:21, says, “Whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’” Isaiah 58:11 says, “The Lord will guide you ALWAYS; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land (that’s provision) and He will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

Whew! Guidance, provision, strength, and endurance all given to the believer – Praise Break! Understand, that man was created to follow, he needs direction because he tends to stray. However, the believer does not need to worry because the Lord knows all and therefore has prepared for that as well. Proverbs 16:9, says, “A man’s heart plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.” Failure is impossible when we follow the Lord’s direction and when His Word is heeded. Despite our shortcomings, the Lord remains with us. The Bible tells us that, “The steps of a good man are ordered by Him, and he delights in His way. Although, he (the good man) fall, he shall not be utterly cast down (overwhelmed) because the Lord upholds him with His hand.” (Psalms 37:23-24). By now you should be shouting! The Lord will guide you, He will provide for you, He will strengthen you, He will give you endurance; all you have to do is follow Him. Again, the Word is clear, “Trust God with ALL your heart and lean NOT on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He SHALL direct your path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

PRAYER: Lord, forgive us for taking the wide road. Forgive us for tossing Your Word aside and going our own way. Forgive us for forgetting that we are prone to stray and need guidance. It is during those times of cockiness that You humble us and for that we thank you. During the times we are lost You still stick with us and for that we thank You. Lord, help us to remember that Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path and we should follow that light. Lord, help us to remember that our way will surely lead us to destruction because it leads to sin and sin leads to death. Lord, we thank You for Your patience, Your direction, and Your prodding during the times when we sought out on our own and got lost. Lord, thank You for the lamp that never left us even when we tried to leave it. You are a great God, a worthy God, a God deserving of our praise. Thank you.
Sis. Patricia Towns