Proverbs Chapter 4 verses 25-27 (NIV)
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.
Hebrews Chapter 12 verses 1-2 (NIV)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When I was little, and because of my disability, I was often reminded by my parents,” Watch where you’re putting your feet! Lift your feet!” My feet have a tendency to drag and my right foot in particular can catch on a raised slab or other obstacle and there’s a danger I’ll fall over. Nowadays, because I use walking sticks, I’m always looking ahead at where I’m walking so that my sticks also don’t slip on wet leaves, small stones, and even the occasional slug on my garden path!
King Solomon reminds us in proverbs of the need to give careful thought to our daily walk in life and to watch for things that will catch us out. The safest way to do that, unlike how I manage physically, is to keep our gaze straight ahead, so that we are not focussing on what other people are doing. They are walking their own walk, and we must concentrate on our own. The letter to the Hebrews reminds that we are not in a competition with anyone else. Our race has already been marked out for us. That makes it easier for us to run a straight race, since we’re not in a race against anyone. I will also continue to pay heed to my mum’s advice and watch where I’m putting my feet!
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that You take care of any obstacles that cross my path so I don’t have to worry about them. Help me to ensure that I keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who will keep my path straight. I ask in His Name. Amen.