Staying on Track

Romans 7:18b

For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Several years ago, I signed up for a local race. For several weeks, I completed all my workouts on the course. I familiarized myself with all the streets and I knew where all the hills and turns were. I knew where each mile marker would be placed. I knew where the halfway point was and where the water stop would be.

Thus I was quite surprised on the morning of the race when the pacer on the bike took us the wrong way. Eight hundred meters into the race, the pacer missed a turn. I looked at the corner, looked at the pacer, and looked back at the corner. But I just kept running in the direction the pacer took us. I had a choice to turn, but doubt overcame me, and I chose not to do what I fully knew was right.

In our spiritual race, we also have ways to familiarize ourselves with the course. God gives us His Word and His commandments to show us the correct path to follow. He sets before us a perfect example of love and holiness in our Savior, Jesus Christ. He shows us the path of righteousness in the Bible, and He invites us to seek Him in all circumstances. Many times, though, despite a clearly marked path, we choose to follow our own course. We set out on a journey knowing the proper route, but at the very first turn, we follow someone or something other than Him. Fear or doubt can tempt us to change our course.

Paul speaks of this struggle in today’s text. But thankfully he also tells us who can save us from this struggle. The answer, of course, is Jesus. Jesus lovingly marked out the path for us, and He is able to make that path straight for us! And thankfully, He is also able and willing to forgive even our deliberate wandering from the path. He can and will set us straight once more. Let’s pray for his guidance now.

Lord Jesus, thank you that you have given me direction in life. Only your direction is good and proper for me. Please forgive me for straying from Your direction. Place me back on the path that leads to You, and keep me in the one true faith. In your perfect name I pray, AMEN.