Follow Directions

(Pro 10:17 KJV)  He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.

As I began reading in this verse the phrase “way (734) of life (2425b)” (path of life NASB) stood out to me.  It came to me that just because you are on that road today it does not guarantee that you will be on it tomorrow.  The road will not go away.  The wandering is on your part.  

There are various reasons why we get off the path.  Sometimes we get distracted.  I will confess this has happened to me a time or two.  I can’t remember if it is getting worse as I get older, but it happens.  You are cruising along, deep in a discussion with yourself, and suddenly you realize you have just passed the turn you wanted to make.  The results vary.  In Southern California there was usually another off-ramp a quarter of a mile down the road where you could correct your error.  In Texas you might need to drive a couple of miles.

Sometimes we find the directions confusing.  I will at times use the GPS feature to get somewhere.  This is only when I don’t know the route.  I find that many times the directions given by the all-knowing AI is either confusing, wrong or comes too late.  I am often forced to do what I should have done at the beginning, figure it our myself.

So?  Staying on track is part of the life of righteousness.  The Holy Spirit will cover a lot of mistakes and wake us up at times but we still need to apply ourselves if we want to arrive at our destination.