What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Lead Me in a Smooth Path...(Updated and Recycled for a Lenten Devotional)

This post was originally written in 2013, and then shared again in 2017...I can't believe how time flies! Some of you may have already commented on this twice! But, if you are like me, every time I read the Bible or some scriptural devotionals, I learn something new.  I thought perhaps this would be a good post for my current series of devotions for Lent...some thoughts to ponder and inspire our hearts as we approach the Easter season.  

Original Post 1/20/2013:

"Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies..." 
Psalm 27:11


This is NOT a smooth path...



Have you ever felt like the pathway of your life looks like this?  Whichever way you turn, there are obstacles strewn in the way; twisted, tangled masses of thorny vines, scrubby underbrush, rotting, termite ridden logs barring your passage to greener pastures and higher ground.

No matter how hard you try to cut through the briers and brambles of discord, disappointment, fear, sorrow, and enemy ambushes,  you find yourself constantly having to negotiate detours and conduct reconnaissance missions to survey the camp of the enemy and work your way back to a "smooth path".


That is when we find ourselves crying out with the Psalmist David:

"Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek.'

Do not hide Your face from me;
Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my help;
do not leave me nor forsake me, 
O God of my salvation."
Psalm 27:7-9



Oftentimes there are warning signs as we begin our journey, which we choose to ignore thinking that we know a better route to take.  



We allow ourselves to get off the beaten path in search of alluring treasures, or we get sidetracked by the trappings of the world, which turn out to be dried up and useless promises, spreading fungi that trap our souls and eat away at our spiritual health, leaving us empty and barren.  

"Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Psalm 16:4


When we find ourselves at a dead end, wondering how we can get back home,  it is not too late to seek the Lord. When we seek His face, He will give us counsel.  He will guide us safely home.




"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

The Psalmist then concludes with these thoughts:

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see 
the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart;  
Wait, I say, on the Lord!"
Psalm 27:13-14


"The Smooth Path"
Dear Friend,
Where do you find yourself today?  Are you lost somewhere on the crooked, twisted path of anger, frustration, sorrow, defeat, anxiety and fear?  Do you find yourself longing to find that "smooth path" again...the Way to peace and comfort and joy?  It's not too late to turn around.  Stop, right where you are and call upon His name. Wait upon the Lord...

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; 
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, 
They shall run and not be weary, 
They shall walk and not faint."  
Isaiah 40:31

Jesus beckons to us today:

"Come to Me, 
all you who labor and are heavy laden, 
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, 
for I am gentle and lowly in heart, 
and you will find rest for our souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30

Come back to the smooth path.  There you will find rest for your soul.


26 comments:

  1. Wonderful post and amazing place you are blessed to walk! It just makes you feel kind of hushed. I get the same feeling when in the redwoods here in Calif. So sacred and holy.

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    1. Yes, I am so excited that this path has recently been cleared. I have longed to walk on it so many times, but it was always blocked by fallen trees, etc. I don't know who finally cleared the path, but I am thrilled. I needed this place...a holy sanctuary in the woods. When you come to visit (!!!) someday, we will walk there together! :-)

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  2. Thanks for this inspiring post, Pam,and reminding me to "wait on the Lord". I do get ahead of Him alot.

    Have a peaceful walk today,
    Sylvia

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    1. Thank you, Sylvia. Yes, waiting on the Lord seems to be one of the most difficult things we humans have to do in this life. We are so inclined to have it our way, and right now, please! But God views time and eternity so much differently than we do. That's where trust comes in.
      I pray your walk today was peaceful as well...and for tomorrow and always.
      Pam

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  3. Beautiful words. Love the blog and the photos, too. I think I'm back on the path now, but I also think I've taken some nasty detours lately! Thanks so much for the food for thought.

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    1. It's so easy to become distracted while we are on the way to what we think is the best path...there are too many temptations to take side trips into the past, the allluring present, and the hoped for future...and we tend to forget to stop and smell the roses along the real path of our daily lives. Thank you for stopping to visit with me today while on your journey. God will help you stay true to the path...just keep your eyes focused on Him!!

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  4. Beautiful pictures, and thoughts to ponder. I had a lovely walk in the snow yesterday and I love the ay walking just encourages such deep fellowship with God! Psalm 16 has become one of my most beloved. Love you...

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    1. You must post some pictures from YOUR path...the snowy one! I loved to walk in the snow when I lived in the north...so many sparkly diamonds glistening in the sun! Yes, no matter what the season, Jesus is the reason (poet) for taking time to commune with Him along our life's pathway. Thank you for taking time to stop and visit with me today!!!

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  5. Pamela: I enjoyed your pictures and your thoughts. Sometimes we CAN'T have a smooth path. We grow as we 'chop' our way through the underbrush and find the way He wants us to go.

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    1. Excellent observations, Quietspirit. I tend to forget that...but I shouldn't,having such difficult paths thrust upon us from time to time...but even if we end up on the rough path just because of life circumstances that can't be helped, a lot of how we travel the rough path depends upon our choices and attitudes along the way. That's where trust and faith come in to play...even when we can't see our way through the maze of life's brambles, God is there in the midst, giving us guidance for each step...if we allow ourselves to listen and watch for Him. Thank you for your thought provoking comment! I appreciate your honesty and experience!

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  6. Dear Pamela,
    I just found your beautiful blog. So encouraging. I just said a prayer for your dear son. Never forget that our loving Father is still in control.
    Blessings

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    1. Hello Anonymous...I don't know who you are, but thank you so much for your prayers for my son. I'm sorry I didn't see this message until now. But I know the prayers have helped. He is doing well, and we thank the Lord for every new day.
      Blessings you as well. Please stop by again for a visit.

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  7. Matt 11:28-30 was the verse I held onto when I first became a Christian 30 odd years ago. It is still my go to verse when I find myself becoming a bit overwhelmed with the 'stuff' life throws at me at times.

    Diana

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    1. Isn't it wonderful to see how the Lord comforts us in the midst of our struggles...His words transcend time and space to reach us in the here and now. So thankful for our marvelous Savior. He is always there for us...30 years ago...and today...and forever!!

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  8. This was a wonderful read this morning. His burden is light. It is so true! We can pick so many hevay things in this world, thinking that is what we are supposed to do...sigh, but we were made to be light.

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    1. Oh what a wonderful insight! Yes..."we were made to be light"...interesting twist on the words...WE were made to be LIGHT...the LIGHT of Christ is in this world...Light in the darkness when the burdens are too heavy for us to bear...Learning to trust in the LIGHT of Christ...Who takes our heavy burdens and carries them on His shoulders...and Who gives us His LIGHT burden instead! Wow!!!! Learning something new every moment from God's Word!

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  9. Reading your post again, then reading my response before, I see that I got a new perspective from it. I have learned personally that as believers we are fighting a battle and God hasn't promised it would be easy, only that He will never leave or forsake us. On earth there will be these things and times that you mentioned. We only need to trust Him and follow His lead!
    Have a Blessed weekend, dear Pamela.

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    1. Oh Sylvia, I almost removed the old comments, and then thought, "No, I'll leave them there for perspective..."...and you saw how far the Lord had brought you since that day 4 years ago! Isn't it wonderful to see how He is always teaching us new things from the same verses every time we look? God's Word is always new and perfect for exactly what we need at that moment! Yes...We just need to continue to TRUST HIM and follow His lead! Amen!!

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  10. We can always find the smooth path when we seek the face of God. May His firm and loving hand guide us steadily upon the paths He chooses for us to walk in.
    Blessings, Pam!

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    1. Isn't that the truth? If we seek God's face first and foremost, even the difficult paths become smooth because He is leading the way, showing us the right way to turn and which direction to take. Oh, if only we could always remember to seek His face first...how much easier and better our lives could be! Thank you, Martha, for this insight!!

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  11. Pam, I think you should seriously consider taking these chronicles of the Secret Garden and publishing them. I am serious. The Lord has given you such insight as He has drawn you away to teach you to rest in Him. Even when you post something that was posted previously your pictures that you've taken recently are perfectly matched with the theme for the day. You are a blessing. Thank you so much for your obedience to Him that we all may learn from your walk.

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    1. Thank you for your words of encouragement, Dianna. I will continue to pray about this, but for now I just believe God wants me to "publish" them here, where they are free for any who will see them. I believe He can put His message into the hands and hearts of those who need them at the right time...and if I can be an instrument in doing that, praise God. I just don't know that I am ready to navigate the difficulties of publishing. God would have to give me a bigger push in that direction if that is truly where He wants me to go. But thank you for your encouragement and loving support. You are a blessing to me in so many ways.

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  12. Pam, as I was reading this heart touching devotion there were 3 words that reached out and grabbed me. CHOOSE TO IGNORE ~ how many times do we find ourselves doing just that...and because of OUR action, choosing to ignore, we go through more struggles than we have to, oh, we are truly sheep in human clothing!! Thank God for the Shepherd who pulls us back into the flock. Praise God from Whom ALL blessings flow.

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    1. Ah yes! Isn't that the truth? We often do "choose to ignore" God's inner prompting of our souls, thinking we know a better way...and then find out that if we had just listened to the prompting of the Holy Spirit we could have saved ourselves so much anguish, energy, and time. Yes...so thankful for the Shepherd of our souls Who never tires of pulling us back into the flock. Praise God indeed!

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  13. Pam, I can relate to your post in many ways. Even when I think I'm doing all the "right" things, I can still get off course on a path full of obstacles. Yet, if I'm still and quiet enough I can sense God wooing me back. Ignoring the Lord is risky business.

    Blessings!

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  14. Hi again, Pamela!
    These are wonderfully poignant selections of scripture. God bless you for sharing. Hope all is well with you and your family. Are you reading/studying special for Lent?
    The sun is shining again, and the temps are in the high 70s here in SC, so the birds are singing as they anticipate spring.
    Blessings, Linda

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.