Watch Out For The Edge Of The Path-25 Cheshvan 5771

It’s leaf-blowing season here in central Arkansas. I enjoy blowing leaves. It is instant gratification of the work being done. I was blowing leaves the other day on a little winding path going down a hill to a lake. As I got to the bottom I didn’t want to blow leaves into the lake so I stepped off the path to blow them across the path into the woods. The leaves were a little damp and slippery and as I stepped on them my foot slid right out from under me. One of my knees is not in great shape and as that leg folded in half and I came crashing down and sat on my foot all I could do was lie on the ground and say, “Oh boy, that really hurts.” After about five minutes I could finally get up and hobbled up the hill. My knee and my ankle were pretty sore.

That evening Carrie put some of that great horse liniment on it and I went to sleep for the night. Lying inactive didn’t help much. Every time I got up and in the morning my leg was really sore. It kind of worked out a little during the day but I think it’s going to be a while before it gets better. I have got to be more careful.

That path is a lot like our walk in faith. As long as we stay on the path things are going to be all right. The path is well marked and there usually isn’t much on it to trip us up. The edge is the problem. That’s where the trouble starts. There are things that you can’t see. They are hidden under the leaves. Sticks to trip you. Holes to stumble in. There are actually things off the path that want you to come off the path. Sometimes it’s not so easy to get back to the path once we get off of it. Even worse, there may not be anyone off the edge to help us.

That’s why we have to continue busying ourselves with the things of G-d. Study, prayer, acts of loving-kindness. Setting our sights upon our Master who has gone before us. He has shown us how to live. He has shown us the things that bring us closer to our Father in Heaven. The more focused on these the less likely we are to wander near the edge.

Luk 18:22-  When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."