Choosing a Path

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. -Matthew 7:7

I have sometimes felt this is one of the most empowering verses in the bible, (0r anywhere), for me. This statement is motivation to go out and try. It's goodwill from above; encouragement, permission, the 'go ahead.' I love anything that simply calls for action, because I want to be a 'doer', and as humans we stagnate if we are sitting around too much. This verse says, "go, make that phone call, reach out to that friend, walk that path, try that new thing out of your comfort zone." With a higher power's blessing.

We don't get anywhere if we don't try. It's as simple as that.

This leads me to then talk about one of my favorite things: choosing wisely. One simple part of choosing: the choice of friends. It's something to talk to your children a lot about as they grow, and how bad choices here can really waste their time or worse. The verse is specific here -

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." -1 Corinthians 15:33. This letter is saying it's hard to 'keep one's nose clean' around bad friends, or people who do bad things. Realize also, bad energy can be toxic, and some 'friends' can deplete you instead of enrich you. A friend ought to be making deposits in your 'emotional bank account' (I think this is from Steven Covey) and you into a friend's vice versa - not constantly making withdrawals, if this makes sense. For some of us, it's just a lesson that must be lived through, maybe more than once, to be learned.

I like visual images from scripture - you can picture yourself doing the following:

The Lord says: "stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." -Jeremiah 6:16

Choosing the path is also very important. One must be mindful of where one goes. Don Juan said he asked himself, "does this path have a heart?" and only if the answer is yes, should he allow himself to take it. A good strategy.

And then finally, I think about the power of the verse "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for thou art with me." The common and visual analogy of trusting oneself to be led as if we were sheep led by a good shepherd. We need to enjoy our sheep journey, savoring every bit of the green fields and sweet pastures along the way. Let's quit rushing and have fun just being sheep for a while. It's summer, now is the time. If you're travelling, God speed to you on your journeys. And know Tailwind has your back.