Wandering Off The Path
Now that our children are older, the vacation destination has changed immensely. Yes, no longer do we hear the pleas to go to some crazy amusement park, now we seek adventure in nature and people. We love to travel to foreign lands and experience the people, the food, the culture, and of course, the landscape. Therefore, while traveling in Costa Rica, the rainforest was a must see.
As we approached the National Park of Manuel Antonio, the view from the outside appeared very lush and dense. When we entered the park, I could see a path had already been created, and someone had clearly thought out the the way through the jungle to give us the safest journey possible. With my hiking sandals on, my camera in tote, we began our adventure.
After walking for just a few moments, our tour guide warned us about the twenty poisonous snakes as well as the insects, and if bitten, one would become very sick. However, for a split second, I began to wonder how many bugs had a fondness for type O blood and white meat. I dug deep in my backpack, and pulled out my insect repellant and covered myself from head to toe. With the application, I felt like a had a shield over me of protection from those pesky varmints. Throughout the tour, we enjoyed the wildlife from a distance. We saw monkeys, sloths, iguanas, a raccoon looking creature, and of course, snakes. Did I mention, I hate snakes, yet I must admit, it was fascinating to see these brilliant green creatures in their natural habitat.These snakes were so camouflaged amongst the foliage that only a keen eye could have spotted them.
As he spoke about the different snakes, Elias, our tour guide, shared a story with us . He told us about an American girl who decided to go down a different path than the one cut out for the tourists. She adventured out on her own in the midst of this vast jungle, of course, her decision resulted in her being bitten by a viper and had to be rushed to the nearest hospital. In all their history of tours, she is the only one who strayed and she suffered an almost fatal consequence. As we continued down the trail, I could not get this story out of my mind, for how uncanny it was to hear about a girl and serpent in a lush environment. I immediately thought of the Garden of Eden, and how Satan deceived Eve with his persuasive words, and she took the wrong path. Of course, It was only when Eve decided to take a path without God that danger arose and sin invaded her soul.
The correlation between this story and life became apparent to me. God has laid a path out for each of us to take. Yes, each step is clearly stated in His Word, His moral law shouts from the pages of the Scriptures, and yet, we choose to leave and wander off on our own. When we make this choice, we enter danger and must live with regret in the 'should have' and 'would have' land. If we would only realize how much God desires to protect us as we walk through the path of life, we wouldn't experience the pain that is caused by wrong decisions. The moral of the story is found in Proverbs 2. We must stay on the righteous path, the one God has created for us. Although the path is arduous at times, sin and its results are at bay, because God is faithful to His Word. 2.1 My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, 2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; 3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path...20 So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
Am I walking on God's path?
