Our Paths

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

— Psalm 16:11

 

In Scripture, there is abundant advice for what path in life will provide the most meaning and fulfillment. Our path refers to the way we live and what we decide to do with our limited time on earth. If we want to take a path that will make us happier, we must include a respect for the parts of us that are most wounded, neglected, and painful to look at and take steps toward incorporating the good and the bad in our life to become more self-aware of who we are. By doing so, we can lead ourselves down a path to peace and contentment in our being, because we will no longer be fighting who we are.

 

It’s not easy to look at all the parts of us that make us who we are. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus tells us, “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. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. When I pray, one of the things I always pray for is that God will show me my true path. We all know that life is not going to be easy, even for those who seem to have everything, there is always something that is not perfect. Much of life is hard. We sometimes have to do things that are against the grain, that are unacceptable to some people. For many of us, that is accepting our sexuality. Accepting who we are is the narrow path that “leads to life.”

 

God is actually all-powerful and ever-present – constantly guiding with His love and assurance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Have you ever thought about what it means to be open to God’s guidance? When faced with a decision that needs to be made, a problem to be resolved, or accepting who we are, it’s not always easy to know what to do. That’s why we need to trust in God and ask Him to guide us on the correct path.

 

If we follow the path that God has shown us, we will feel a deep sense of God’s love for all of His creatures. By being still and listening, and acknowledging God as an ever-present source of help, we can be freed from the entrapments of doubt and fear.