Watch Out For That Rock!!

Scripture:
Deuteronomy 5:32 — So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.
 
Observation:
God gave the people of Israel the Ten Commandments and instructs them to follow them. God gave order, a path to follow. It is true of all people that left to our own will get off the path. We all sin and miss the mark. In the verse I am journaling today God is instructing the people (all people) to not turn aside either to the right or to the left, but to stay on track. Right now I am looking out the window watching it snow like crazy (I am in Kansas City this week). Because of the snow I am not really feeling like spring is just around the corner, but I know that it is. And with spring comes the desire for me to ride my mountain bike. I have been riding for about 10 years now and love it. One thing that I noticed early on was this simple biking truth: Wherever you look, that’s where you go. Its true! I can be riding on a sweet single track trail that has big rocks that you have to maneuver around and if I look at a rock I will hit it. If I look at the space between the rocks I will miss the rocks. Its almost like magic. If I look at something I go towards it.
 
Application:
The lesson of riding the bike is obvious, isn’t it? Today’s verse reminds me that I am in danger of going off to the right or to the left. I have found that when I enter into sin it is almost always because I have taken my eyes, my focus, off of the way I should be going and placed it on something off to the side. It really is all about where I put my attention. If I place my attention on what other people have that I don’t, it is just a matter of time until my attitude becomes one of coveting what they have. If I were to place my attention on getting ahead no matter what I can only imagine that it would be just a matter of time and I would lie and cheat and steal to get what I want. But, if I make sure that my attention is placed on the path that God has set before me I find that righteousness is the outcome. It is not easy and there are always things that “sneak up” on me, that is why I so desperately need Jesus in my life to offer me salvation. Yet the rule of biking is so true – now to practice keeping my eyes on my God.
 
Prayer:
God help me to be focused on you and forgive me when I am not. God as I go through my life give me wisdom to discern your path from the ways that seem right to me at the time, but are not leading to you. Thank you for your guidance and your love. Your patience with me is long and gentle. Your love is amazing. Your grace more abundant than my sin. I do not deserve, nor have I earned your presence in my life, yet you offer it to me in love. O how great a God you are. Amen

— Darren Miley, student pastor