Proverb 2:13

“Who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,”

But there are those individuals who willingly give up the arduous trek, that is upright and brightly lit with the glory of God Himself. They give it up because it requires  dependency on Him. Every step of the way, as we place one foot in front of the other, we depend on his whispers in our ear, his light showing the way ahead, his Holy Spirit warning us of a wrong turn and his sound word to correct our vertigo. Without his intervention, we stumble and lose our stride.

Instead, the evil one chooses to walk freely in his own independence, with his every decision to make it on his own. There are obstacles along the way, many sudden drops and unexpected turns. But there are no roadmaps, there’s no voice guiding him but his own pestilence and he can’t see an inch in front of his face.

The thing about this way, is it’s a little exciting at first. It’s unpredictable a little scary, attractive and enticing. But then you get banged up a little, bruised, scarred and hurt. Then you begin to resent the other path because you weren’t protected like the other sojourners. Determined to prove that you can do it on your own, you get up and beat yourself up all over again. You lash out in anger, cry out in pain and blame anyone and everyone else. Especially God. He won’t, after all, light your way, will He? 

The upright path is miraculous. Really, it’s the same path that was just described. The sojourners are interwoven on its streets. It’s how they progress down it’s dusty roads which determines which path they’re on. Contrary to popular belief, it’s also exciting, unpredictable and little scary. But it’s also fun, rewarding and challenging, no doubt. It always leads us to pour out thanksgiving to the one who establishes our feet along the way.

If, at any given point, we wish we had taken the other path, we’ve got the freedom to do so. Dark or light. 

Once We’ve decided upon darkness, though, it sometimes feels like it’s too late. Like we’re stuck. Defeated. But all we have to do is simply ask for God’s grace for our pompous attitude and ask him to turn the light on for us. 

He wants nothing more than to do just that.