Teach Me Your Path

Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25: 4 – 5

This morning, I went to put something in Scott’s closet and saw all his old Charlie Brown books on the shelf. I smiled as I thought about how much he loved reading those comic strips through the years!

One of the particular strips came to mind as I thought about how tired I have become the last few days trying to make up my mind about a decision I have to make. And I thought to myself that I wished I could just do what Charlie Brown once did – go to Lucy’s booth, pay for the answer, and move on!

Scott soon called, and I told him how I was trying to remember the comic strip about Lucy’s booth, and how I had decided that would be a pretty good way to make my decision. After we got off the phone, he sent me the cartoon I was referring to. There was Lucy sitting in her booth with the sign “Psychiatric Help 5 cents” and underneath, “The Doctor is in”.

She was just waiting for Charlie Brown or anyone else who needed her expertise and advice to come by, and what a deal she offered for only a nickel! Beneath the picture, Scott jokingly reminded me that I would probably be better off finding the answer another way since Lucy was known for not always giving the best advice. Most of the time Charlie Brown left feeling worse than he did before!

Isn’t that the way it is when we sometimes depend on others to give us the answers we are seeking? They have the best of intentions, they think they know what is best for us, but they truly don’t. And we certainly can’t always rely on our own minds and hearts to help make the right choices.

Sometimes these important decisions are like paths going in different directions, and as we struggle to take the right one, we may feel as if we need help with the answer. We may ask others, weigh all our options, think of the pros and cons, go back and forth, and try to figure it out on our own; but then after a time with no clear answer, we may finally turn it over to God.

I know that God is the only One who can truly guide us, but I often get much too impatient having to wait on Him. Perhaps I am afraid of what He will try to teach me as I wait, or that I won’t like the answer He is going to give. I have even found myself trying to figure it out while I was waiting on His guidance and direction!

I love how David says in this verse, “Show me your ways, O God”.  In other words, “Show me how I should approach this, God. What would you have me to do? Teach me the right path.” We know we can place our trust and hope in Him and all things will turn out as they should. And as we wait on Him, we will draw closer to Him and learn to depend on His wisdom and guidance. We know in our hearts that He is the only one who truly knows what is best for us. But isn’t it the hardest thing to do?

This beautiful verse is a comforting reminder for all of us as we wait: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

I have finally realized I need to give it completely to God and rest in confidence that He will show me the way.  I will rely on His strength and wait patiently for His answer.

 Prayer

Dear God, teach us your paths, your ways, and help us to always look patiently to you for guidance and direction. We thank you for your presence, love, and grace. Amen