Are You Walking on the Path of Life?

April 20, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

Who does not want to walk on the path of life, to feel the presence of joy, and to experience pleasures forevermore? This is what great movies and books are about – finding one’s passion, purpose, and then fulfilling one’s mission. We experience such joy when we find such significance in life.

God made you for such significance; therefore, you will long for it with every fiber of your being. You want to know you are doing what God created you to do, using your gifts appropriately, and thus making a difference in the world. You are not alone! Everyone wants to feel as if their life has meaning and purpose. So, how do you find it?

The writer of Psalm 16 had the same innate desires as you. He, too, wanted to walk in the fullness of life, and he learned to do so by taking refuge in the Lord, listening to his voice, and staying in an intimate relationship with him.

Your pathway is the same as the psalmist’s. Yet, staying on this path of life takes determination and intentionality. So many signs clutter the road to distract your eyes as do so many detours to take you off track. The key is to keep your eyes set on the one who lived a perfect life: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

How did Jesus stay on the path of life? He stayed in communion with his Father. He lived in the power of the Holy Spirit and never strayed from the course laid out for him, even when that course led to a cross. Jesus stayed focused on the goal of seeing you set free from the bondages of sin and this world and to live a redeemed life.

Staying in God’s presence and fulfilling the will of the Lord brought Jesus the fullness of joy. You can experience the same thing. You have a divine calling on your life, and the Lord has provided you the gifts to fulfill that calling. Do you know what it is? Are you experiencing the fullness of joy each day knowing that you are exercising your gifts and making a mark on this world? Do you look forward to the day when you stand face to face with your Lord and Savior to give an account of how you used your life?

Reflection:

If you can’t answer these questions with a whole-hearted yes, today is the day to cry out to the Lord. His desire for you is to embrace this abundant life that he has for you. He knows what he made you to do, and he has the resources to meet your every need. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resources:

Our honest prayer before God is evidence that we understand the ways He loves, cherishes, sees, and hears us. Through prayer, we can acknowledge with Hagar, “You are the living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). When we pray, we are affirming the same. Why do we often hide from this privilege? Why do we avoid God, the One who sees us as we are and stands ready to provide and answer us in his holy, timely way? In this 8-week study on the prayers of Job, Ruth, Hannah, and David, grow your prayer life by facing your honest need and bringing your whole self before God. Acknowledging God as the One who guides your path can change your heart. It can take you past fear and into faith, strength, and hope. Learn more about Honest Prayer.