Fixing Potholes

And make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed instead.” Hebrews 12:13

I don’t think God is against tranquil meandering walks. There is a deep need to slow down, especially in our culture trying to wring one last chore out of the next hour of the day. But, God does desire for us to stay on track, keeping the goal of our lives in focus.

Late spring and early summer is pothole fixing season in North Dakota. The harsh and frigid winters cause the frost to go deep into the road beds. The warmer days coax the frost back up as the thaw begins, often heaving whole sections of asphalt in its way. If left unattended the roads would become impassable after just a few years.

We used to joke that there were two season in North Dakota; winter and road construction. But the constant maintenance is necessary. And so it is in our lives. We need to be attentive our own path and its cracks.

It would be nice if we reached some level of spirituality where attentive was no longer needed. We could go to a convention or be prayed for by a particularly charismatic leader and “poof”, Christian level number 10 has been obtained; we are done the drudgery of spiritual housekeeping.

Instead, Scripture constantly reminds us to be attentive. This verse compares us to a trail that needs to be kept up. Unattended, leaves, rocks and other debris build up and those travelling might turn an ankle on an unseen impediment.

Jesus drew great attention to the power our words have to both reveal what we truly are like within, and their affect on the listener. Without careful attention, our inner life becomes strewn with overgrowth; words and actions hiding the beauty of the Christian journey.

But, when we regularly tend to our life, letting Jesus’ grace melt our harsh ways, our words and actions become sources of healing. Even on the most challenging days, and appropriate amount of attention to the inner life can prepare us to be used by God. Having swept the debris of selfishness aside, we are ready to listen to the needy. We do not need to spend hours a day at this; it is more important for it to be regular and habitual. It takes my wife about 10 minutes to water all the plants in our house, but if she left it aside for a week, they would begin to suffer.

Let your path be straight, meaning focused on the love of Christ. Tend to it daily, confessing personal failing and experiencing Jesus’ forgiveness. Allow Him to mend the rough spots, heal the broken patches, so that you can become a source of healing to others as well.