Stay On The Path

If you’ve ever read and/or watched “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, then you may know a large portion of the story takes place in a dark forest called “Mirkwood”. 

The main character, Bilbo, sets out on an adventure with a group of stubborn dwarves who are on a quest to take back the thing that was stolen from them. 

BUT, in order to reach their destination they must enter a dangerous forest and get through to the other side.

Bilbo and Co. ask their leader, Gandalf, multiple times if there might be any other way around, but alas, there is none.

In order to get where they want to go.. In order to reach their destiny.. They have to face their fear and enter in.

But Gandalf doesn’t leave them hanging. He gives them one command. One thing that will see them through.

He says, “STAY ON THE PATH.”

That’s it. 

That’s all they have to do.

Stay on the path and they’ll get to where they’re going. 

Stay on the path and they’ll experience breakthrough. 

Stay on the path and they’ll see life on the other side.

How hard could that be?

It proves to be more difficult than you might think.. 

Much like in our own lives. 

Like Bilbo and Co., we are all on a PATH leading somewhere. 

Every single one of us moving toward a destination, a goal, a certain direction. 

And along the way, we face obstacles and situations that force us to make decisions.

We often have the choice to move forward, turn back, or turn aside.

We face temptations and hardship that try to steer us off course.

But I believe we would be wise to heed the advice of Gandalf.

We’ve got to learn to “STAY ON THE PATH.” 

God’s Word tells us the same thing.

It says, “He makes known to me the PATHS of life.” 

- Psalm 16:11; Acts 2:28

He commands us to, “Stay on the PATH.” 

- Deuteronomy 5:33; Exodus 14:21

And we’re told to, “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient PATHS, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find REST for your souls.”

- Jeremiah 6:16

It is clear that God has given us a path to stay on.

And if we do, 

We will get where we want to go.

We will find rest.

We will experience life. 

We will be at ease.

But if we don’t, then we may get ourselves into trouble.

Psalm 140:5 says, “The proud set traps on the side of the PATH.”

Proverbs 15:19 says, “The way of the lazy is like a hedge of thorns, but the PATH of the upright is a highway.”

And Matthew 7:14 says, “For the gate is wide and the WAY is easy that leads to destruction.”

We are all on a PATH leading somewhere.

It is up to us to determine where we are headed.

Is it clear for you right now?

Are you standing at a dark forest with a decision to make? 

Are you asking for another way around it?

Are you tempted to step off and pursue something else?

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be talking about PATHS and exploring what we’ve been told about them.

Maybe it just might help you determine yours.