| “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV) |
 I have spend the last year or so trying to build a walking meditative path on an acre of land that was purely neglected farm land for years in eastern NC. It has a small pond that is worked into my maze. We have now planted 20 plus Crepe Myrtle Trees along my charted design. Hopefully, with the downpours of rain and sun sprinting in between we will see blooms to delight the eye in a week or two. It’s still rough terrain with much work to do. As I contemplated my second part of this oversized plan I felt the pang of discouragement tucking at me. When out of the clear I hear the words from the man of wisdom; stop and acknowledge God and then He will direct your path! Looks like I have work to do inside myself so my walking meditative path can take on it’s intended character and use.
I hope each of you have a well “lit path” as you do your work today! May enlightenment be your greatest reward! |
Consider the lilies of the field… Matt 6:28
thedailylily.com 
Sara, this is a good encouragement complete with a picture to illustrate the importance of being directed by God before one takes the next step…or we may engage in a lot of work in vain. If one definition of ‘acknowledge’ is “An expression of thanks or a token of appreciation” then it would seem that when we pause to show God appreciation and thanks for the steps He has already provided, that He will show the next one.
Wonder what a token of appreciation would be?
A token is something given to express thanks…maybe caring for or supporting with time, finances, etc a step He has already given.
A token of gratitude for all the hands that participating in the purchasing, planting, maintenance and care of the ‘Crepe Myrtle Trees’ to make this meditative walking path a light for faith. O Lord, help this to be a productive path for many to find rest and peace as they trod and view your beauty. We forget not those in the setting of the sunset of life that has toiled and labored in excess to keep the fire of life burning on this chosen plot of land. Give us as caretakers steps and strength to continue to pamper this land to be pleasing to the Eye of the Maker and Master Planner.
I forgive and I ask you to forgive those that labored and then complained and murmured with gossip, backbiting and other malicious fruit trying to eat and satisfy their insatiable, incurable addictions of not ever be satisfied. Your Word gives us insight into the cure even for the incurable ‘malaise’ that haunts our minds and we look for a cure but only take in more of the damaging serum. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
I give thanks and then I ask in humble prayer that each step taken on this walking meditative path gives light to the feet, hope to the weary, rest for the soul and above all Truth that sets the trojan free. John 8:32 says it best; “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” I hope my token of gratitude has acknowledged in some small way the greatest of Our God! “For You, O God is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them– he remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6 Amen
“I give thanks and then I ask in humble prayer that each step taken on this walking meditative path gives light to the feet, hope to the weary, rest for the soul and above all Truth that sets the trojan free. ”
I agree in prayer, in Jesus Name.
Tammy, as we agree and walk our path we can enjoy wearing our crown! Have you heard this? “God will crown your efforts with success.”
“God will crown your efforts with success.” Hum, not sure I have heard It like that, Sara, but is definitely encouraging words!
Sara, the devotional that I read this am in ‘Jesus Yoday’ by Sarah Young (#13) before reading your above sentence, “God will crown your efforts with success” started out speaking of your exact words/crown and quote by saying “In everything you do, put Me first, and I will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” She sites Proverbs 3:6 and goes onto say at end of devotional, “When I am your top priority, other things fall into their proper place. So delight yourself in Me first and foremost. As you walk in the Light of My Presence, I open up the path before you – crowning your efforts with success.”
The Lord is really speaking through your blog and comments.
Debi, hey, be sure to comb your hair well to properly wear and show your crown!!! As they say today, Whooeeee!
I have always understood when you are acknowledging Him in all you say and do…we usually find it is in the busiest time of our lives when we just might not and He is like a jealous lover standing there, saying; “remember Me?” We, (me) at times with one more chore to do keeps saying to HIM; be patience and I will get to you soon! OUCH! Seemly, that was the time He was holding my crown. He drops his hand and crown slips away while I was focused on just myself. I got what I wanted and it satisfied my moment(s) but years to come it looked shabby and disrespectful. Sad, I am and I drop my head for I had not a successful crown to adorn my head. O, soul of mine what could you have been thinking to get and stay so busy with your list as useless but bigger than the shining crown?
I would say, good job, Debi, for you were/are obedient with your time. You go Debi! Not my way, it seems to be the way of Proverbs 3:6
Sara. is this the path with the light and the lamp unto the feet of those who tread it? I think so. Having walked down that alley of remembrance that contains the “tokens” referring to the cloud of witnesses, that lovely journey brings forth in one’s soul and spirit, the communion of saints and what God has promised to those who love Him…that we may enter, together, into His rest. So be it!
MG, if the feet that trod this path is the living Word in action then we may just see lightings flashing? Did you ever sing the hymn, “When we walk with The Lord in the light of His Word what a glory ( light) He sheds on our way…”
“Trust & Obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus…BUT TO TRUST & OBEY!”
It really is amazing…that He requires these two virtues : Faith & Obedience!
Then the light of God’s countenance will shine upon our way for it will be Christ’s “WAY” that we walk. The song says it well. THERE is no other way…..”by which men can be saved”. Trust & obey…that’s it! His burden is easy and His yoke is light.
I would think one must know the rules in order to obey, right? Yet, knowing the rules and choosing to disobey and still want the rewards is like showing up on pay day for a check when you haven’t worked a day! Yet, many times we obey with trust of gaining the promises and yet get a puff of pride and give others are stale bread by nodding our head when others chose to disobey. I better plant my trees and work/walk on my path and leave others to work on theirs. A path to……
Sara, the ONLY path….the Way, the Truth, the Life. Those words slide tripping-ly off the tongue [and off the page]…of those of us who have memorized passages like this….ready to have them emanate forth from our lips. But the fruit is another matter. For those who follow that PATH of life, Jesus Christ…..their lives will show it. That ‘puff of pride’ & arrogance will not be there. Yikes!
“I better plant my trees and work/walk on my path and leave others to work on theirs. A path to……”
Psalm 1:1-6 says: (NLT) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Sara, I’d like to add a portion of the footnotes for verse one here. Do you think it goes along with the discussion here? Read with me: “Those who diligently try to obey God’s will are blessed. They are like healthy, fruit-bearing trees planted along a riverbank with strong roots (Jeremiah 17:7,8), and God promises to watch over them. God’s wisdom guides their lives. In contrast, those who don’t trust and obey God have meaningless lives that blow away like dust. Only two paths of life lay before us–God’s way of obedience or the way of rebellion and destruction. Be sure to choose God’s path because the path you choose determines how you will spend eternity.”
Tammy, the scripture and notes you reference here sure puts our footpath in proper prospective! As we plant, tend and care for a tree we watch and see how our lives light up with the fruit of promises when we care enough to meditate on the path words and follow the appointed course. This inspires me to want to add scripture stones along the walking path.
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”….is what comes to my mind Sara.
BTW….LOVE the new page! 🙂
Love your new look, Sara. When the Lily, difficult to gild, gets a refreshing new look it catches the eye, quickly. And we skip down and around to see what gives! i love it. It lives!
The new web page for The Daily Lily is fantastic! I love the updates, layout and colors. Even the photos look more beautiful. A big thank you!
The “path” is equal to the “Way”…which follows the “Truth” and the “Light”. That Path is Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He is the “Door” and the “Gate” that opens onto that Path. Sometimes I have “distracted driving” from that Path and swerve to the right or left. But calling upon the Name of the Lord brings me back upon the Path. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit and my spiritual teachers who help direct me back to this fabulous journey toward eternity with Jesus. Thanks Sara, Gary.
Interestingly enough, Eph. 2:10 in the Amplified Bible reads talks about paths, ” For we are God’s own handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus that we may do those good works, which God predestined…planned beforehand for us…TAKING PATHS which He prepared ahead of time that we should walk in them….”