The Straight Path

As believers, we desire to do those things our Father wants us to do. Jesus did this (John 5:19) and Paul taught it (Romans 12:1-2).

The life of obedience to the Father can be described as “the straight path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us how to live on this straight path:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

This passage gives us three things we’re to do and a resulting promise. If we will:

• trust God in and for everything;
• reject our own understanding – even our “common sense” – when it conflicts with His Word; and
• submit to His leadership and direction in our lives;

the result is a path made straight by God.

What does God’s straight path look like? Is it a happy place? Is it comfortable? Is it a path of constant success, bodily comforts, and no stress?

No, it’s not. If we define God’s straight path using our outward circumstances as a guide, we will often be confused and discouraged. Satan will use these things to lie about God’s goodness and presence in our lives.

Earthly happiness and the straight path are not the same thing. We can and will experience happiness on the straight path, but the path cannot be defined by the presence of happiness (or the lack of of it).

The straight path is what we experience when we fully trust God, even when it doesn’t make sense, and fully submit to His direction in our lives. When we do these things, God is able to make our paths straight.

Be blessed!