Stay the Path

Ready:

“But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside.”  -- Job 23:10-11 NLT

Set:

It was my last chance to make the cut. I had no way of knowing whether I would succeed or fail. I had tried so many times already, and I was exhausted. Everything in me wanted to quit, to take it easy this time, but I had trained for more than that. One more time, I gave it my all, and for that time, I failed.

But the thing is, in God’s eyes, I didn’t. God had no stake in me making that cut. He already knew I wasn’t going to make it. He just wanted to see me stay the path just as He wants to see anyone who follows Him.

Sometimes God tests us through our sport, our relationships, or our health, and sometimes it just feels like He tests us in every aspect of life. But He does this to refine us, to make us “pure as gold.” The only way to succeed is to persevere and follow God’s ways regardless of the outcome in our lives because His will always works out for good.

The next time you fail at something, try to remember that God has a plan for you and that He wants to see you succeed in following His plan.

Go:

1. When was the last time you felt truly tested?
2. What did it look like to stay the path in that situation?
3. In what areas of life do you find it hardest to stick to God’s way, and what can you do to keep yourself on the right track?

Workout:

James 1:12; Luke 21:19; 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Overtime:

“Lord, help me to persevere in times when I’m tested. I want to stay on the path; I want to pass the test. Please walk with me through each trial and give me the strength to finish strong, Amen."

Alicia Cardie