I had a new obsession this winter: Keeping my front stoop and steps clear of snow and ice.
You see, last winter was my first living in this house, and I spent so much time keeping the driveway free of ice that I neglected the steps. Who used them anyway? Turns out I got more Amazon deliveries than I realized, and the build-up of ice lingered into Spring. So, this year I was determined and ready. I kept a bucket with ice melt in my front closet, ready to throw it out of the front door while still in my bathrobe. (Turns out not all ice melt is meant to be used on concrete, so my front stoop is a mess. . . but I was going to sand off the top layer of paint to resurface it, so I guess I’m ahead!) Even the thinnest layer of white powder was met with my broom, and occasionally my leaf blower (and I was happy to use of my favorite tools even in the winter months – after one storm I was tired of shoveling and sweeping so I hoisted it on my shoulder and aimed it like a bazooka. . . and realized I shouldn’t aim it toward the house because wet snow sticks to siding).
This past winter was a long one, filled with A LOT of snow. And yet I was determined to keep a clear path. To accomplish this, I needed to:
- Regularly monitor it
- Regularly maintain it
- Be prepared
So, here’s the question you may have known was coming: How do I monitor and maintain my path with God?
- By being watchful (looking at the path)
- By taking action (each time it snowed/iced)
- By being prepared (with my bucket and shovel)
There’s a common thread among these actions: intentionality.
I try to minimize disorganization and chaos in my home, but when I start a home improvement project, all bets are off. I recently redid my bathroom and there were tools and supplies everywhere. But I intentionally left a clear path to and in the bathroom (I had to, it’s the only one in the house).
Bonus thought: How does intentionally clearing my path witness to others?
Let’s see what Scripture says about our paths.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11 ESV)
- Path of life = His plan for our good
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105 ESV)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on you own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
- Take action: trust and acknowledge
- All our ways
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27 ESV)
- Intentionality in our focus (eyes, gaze)
- Take action: clean speech (not involved in drama that steers us)
- What am I keeping my gaze from? Distractions, misguided priorities
- “ponder” – reflect, wisdom, recognize (be aware)
I want this relationship with God (“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 ESV), but is the path clear for Him to work in me?
I might not know where the path is winding, but I know where it’s headed. And I want to keep it clear.
Pause
Reflect
How clear do I keep God’s path to me:
With my heart?
With my time?
With my reflection?
With my gratitude?
Reflect
How do I keep my path clear for others to approach me:
To ask for help?
To fellowship with me?
To encourage me?
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