Sometimes the hardest life to bring into subjection is your own. If you are a parent, you understand the responsibility of teaching your children obedience. If you are an employer, you know the importance of employee compliance. Although at times difficult, they don’t come close to the challenges we can face when endeavoring to keep our own lives in line with God’s established purpose. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Ps. 37:23, KJV).
The word ordered means “prepared and secured.” In other words, your path in life has been predetermined by God; everything you will ever need to walk it out is already firmly fixed. However, if we don’t intentionally focus on keeping ourselves on that predetermined path, we can alter our course in life.
Challenges come against us on our spiritual journey just as they do on our natural journey. If we take a road trip, we can often find ourselves dealing with the elements, hindrances in the road, and distracting temptations.
THE ELEMENTS
These represent unfavorable weather conditions. In the natural, various storms have brought devastation to cities and countries, ultimately causing people to end their journeys. The same is true when the storms of life “touch down” in our lives, attempting to devastate our course.
In Luke 8, we read the account of the disciples in the middle of a storm. Jesus instructed them to go to the other side of the lake. Their course was predetermined, but the storm rose, threatening to destroy the boat and all within it. Then Jesus came, walking on water, commanding them not to be afraid because He was with them. They were not allowed to end their course and made it to the other side. The storms of life are coming, but we have to strap in, remember Jesus is with us, and stay on course.
HINDRANCES IN THE ROAD
Hindrances are like nails, detours, and obstructions that slow down the journey. Have you ever seen people stranded on the side of the road because of tire problems? Or, have you ever been traveling on one road only to discover that a section is under construction forcing a detour? We have a real enemy, who will throw whatever he can in our way to cause the “tires” of life to blow out. When we sit on the side of the road, gripe, and complain about how bad things are, our enemy can gain an advantage over us. He not only slows down our progress, but also keeps us in a part of the journey longer than we should be. But thank God, we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Cor. 2:11). Through the Word of God, we have the tools to keep things rolling toward the plan of God for our lives.
DISTRACTING TEMPTATIONS
With all that said, nothing thwarts the path of Christians like distracting temptations. These temptations represent three things: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). I’ve taken road trips passing adult entertainment signs designed to draw people off the road and into their little hideaways. They are always conveniently located right off of the exit ramps. Similar distractions also happen on our spiritual journey. Nothing slows down or stops individuals from following God’s plan like the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. They are like billboards or bright neon signs designed to distract and pull believers off course. To avoid being lured away, put the pedal to the metal, by saying “no” to your fleshly desires, and safeguarding your eyes by fixing them on the Father. Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those that find them and health to all their flesh."
When we humble ourselves, recognizing that through the Spirit of God, we can remain on the course God has for us, staying in prayer and living accountable to His Word will get us through the course of life mapped out for us like champion drivers!
