Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them. 

Deuteronomy 4:9 NIV

My dogs and I walk ten times around our fenced half-acre daily to get exercise. Lately, I have noticed that I can see a faint outline of the path we have tread over the past year. Our feet have begun to chart our route, and as we continue our habit, I expect the pathway to become more apparent as the ground beneath our feet slowly wears deeper and deeper.

This reminds me of the Lord’s command to closely watch over our spiritual walk. We must be consistent and diligent and not let ourselves forget everything we have seen God do. His faithfulness is never to slip from our hearts.

Slip is defined as losing one’s balance unintentionally for a short distance (Oxford Dictionary). We know all too well just how quickly a slip can happen when we least expect it.

Likewise, slipping in regards to remembering all that God has taught and done for us can also happen quickly and unintentionally. Life catches us up with busyness, illness drags us down, good times embrace us in their pleasure, laziness dictates that we can let spiritual habits slide, at least for a while, and before we know it, we don’t think about the Lord very often.

But God is still there in the shadows rather than at the forefront of our daily walk. That’s just how easily slipping happens. When it occurs, if we are not quick to notice and regain our balance, the spiritual pathway we leave can fade into nothingness.

As the Lord has said, we must carefully watch our heart’s attitude and our mind’s thoughts. Additionally, we must monitor our spiritual habits of reading and knowing the Word. Further, we should watch our fellowshipping with other Christians and our voices that rise in praise and prayer.

We shall not slip if we watch closely. We shall never forget all God has done for us through His Word and deeds. The pathway we leave behind us will stand bright, clear, and well-defined for others to see and follow.

Think about what you are leaving behind on your life’s pathway. 

Father God, remind me to be careful and closely watch over my spiritual walk with You so that others can see and follow my godly pathway. In Christ’s name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

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