Staying on Track

…Be strong through the grace God gives in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1 NLT

Mall walking… have you done this?

It is a walk around an indoor shopping mall, so you can look at the items on display as you pass by the windows. It is a form of entertainment and exercise… or so they say.

But not for me… I get stuck looking at the things in the window and the next thing I know, I am going inside the shop to buy something!

So much for my exercise!

I need a friend with me to encourage me to take a picture and just keep on walking.

My Christian journey can get stuck, too. Paul warns Timothy about this…

Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness – faith, love, peace – joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands (2 Timothy 2:22-26 MSG).

Selfishness or childish indulgences and waste of time arguments can lead me the wrong way.

Instead, to stay on the right track, I am to pursue:

-Maturing in righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-Seeking the companionship of Christians joining them in honest and serious prayer.

-Patience with difficult people, praying God will change their hearts and help them escape the Devil’s trap.

How do I do all of this?

Paul explains it is by being strong through the grace God gives in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:1 NLT).

Again, this is all beyond my strength – I can’t even handle mall walking alone!

But God, through His amazing grace, gives me His strength in Jesus!

And He provides His people – Christian companions – to encourage me to stay on the right course!

Father in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me… whispering “Stay on My course, be strengthened by My grace, child.” Lord, please help me stay on the right path. Thank You for providing fellow believers to encourage me along the way, too! In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis