Need a Guide?

Passage: 

Proverbs 4:11 (NIV)  I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.

Main Point:  We follow the right path of life when we follow the Lord; and the wisdom to know that path is given abundantly by Him.  We need a guide or we will be lost for sure.

• Promise?  Victory (defined by arriving at our destination, quickly, safely, and certainly) is assured to those who follow the wise teachings and faithful guidance of the Lord through Life.
• Lesson?  The converse of this verse serves as a warning:  Ignore the guidance and wisdom of the LORD, and your path will be crooked, confusing, disorienting, and destructive. 
• Blessing? It is certainly a blessing to be worry-free about decisions - when we place them in the Lord's hands. 

Devotional:

Growing up in central Kansas, my wife had the luxury of easy navigation.  All roads traveled either N-S or E-W.  There aren't too many curves, few hills, and open plains (without densely forested areas to block one's view).  Straight, easily travelled roads make for a quick trip - safe, secure, and certain without all the disorientation that can happen with twists, turns and limited visibility.  Here in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas, the roads are not nearly so predictable, straight, or clear.  It's pretty easy to get disoriented.  Unless I know the road well, I need to stop often to get my bearings.  Sometimes it gets so bad I need directions - a guide! 

Life is often like that.  Our lives experience twists and turns of events and emotions that make our heads spin, our hearts reel, and we find ourselves lost and disoriented, desperately needing a guide.  The Lord is our Guide.  He knows the way to our victorious destination, and he makes the paths straight - or at least feel straight - because He knows the end from the beginning; He knows the twists and turns. 

Following the LORD is NOT leaning on a crutch, it's making for a quick trip - straight to victory.  There is no getting lost when we follow the LORD.  There is no losing, only winning.  But we need wisdom to experience such things.  We might experience loss, but in that we do not lose, we grow.  We might make good or bad choices, but with His wisdom, even what seems a bad choice can be the best choice.  He teaches us what our priorities should be, and He gives us directions on how to make His priorities and plans work.  He guarantees it! 

Let Christ be your Guide today!  Ask Him for wisdom and use it.  Ask Him for directions and follow them.  He will lead you to victory!