Making the Path Straight

I have always been a big fan of Mother Theresa. In part I admire her because she had the heart of a servant like no other I have ever known about. Honestly I struggle with being a servant and so her example inspires and amazes me.

Most people probably think that she always had this great servants heart and thus dove right into serving in Calcutta India. However, if you read her biography you will learn that she struggled a bit when God told her to pack her bags and head to India. In fact she even resisted a little but God reminded her of something she often said to him. “Jesus, I refuse you nothing.” And so with God’s gentle reminder she went.

Wow! Her story almost makes me afraid to tell Jesus that I refuse him nothing. Notice I said almost. I realize that even if He asks me to do something that is not easy, He will go before me. Still though it is hard to lay aside our visions, our dreams, our comforts and our desires to embrace God’s. I am willing though and I have told God that on many occasions. So far He hasn’t asked me to go into the African bush where I will have to wrestle tigers, avoid giant snakes and learn to eat wild boar.

God always asks us to be willing to give up everything for him. Those that are willing, God typically uses to move mountains. Those that are unwilling live the typical “me” centered life that is common place in this world. I guess when it comes to following Jesus Christ there is commitment and then there is Commitment if you know what I mean. Are you willing to follow no matter what or are you willing to follow only when you feel good about it.
I often pray that Jesus will make straight my path. This prayer comes from Prov 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Part of trusting God is realizing that often times He only gives as much as we need to know or see. In other words we can’t see way down the path, we can only see the next step and sometime not even that. For me, asking God to make my path straight is telling him that I accept whatever He has in store for me and that I want to take that next step on the path. If you think about it, living for Jesus in this way is thrilling. Never knowing what God has in store for you but always looking forward to whatever it is. What task or blessing does He have for me next? Often times we dwell on what we don’t know or on how we think things might happen rather than trusting Him. Yet Jesus said that if we trust Him He will make our path straight. He will lead us in placing our foot right where it needs to be on the path. He won’t let the path get the better of us.

Jesus made Mother Theresa’s path straight. Though she would not have chosen it, I am sure she was glad she trusted God enough to obey. Her path made straight by God was one that impacted many lives. We don’t have to guess what the path or purpose is, we just have to Trust Jesus.