The Path of Life...

 

Greetings, Dear Friends!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a comment, share a story or insight, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend! 

As most of you know, I have a new radio show, Live the Promise with Susie Larson. The program airs every Saturday morning from noon to 1:00 CST. And guess what? We are going live on weekdays too, starting Monday, September 20th (from 2:30-3:00 CST). Tell your friends and listen in! I'll be doing giveaways on the air every week. 

And, a quick note about this week's show! My guest this week has a lot to say about the effectiveness of our Christianity and impact of our spiritual influence in America. He says that much of the Western church is sleeping. This show will serve as a wake up call to many. My guest was author and social critic Os Guiness. We talked about his new book, "The Last Christian on Earth: Uncovering the Enemy's Plot to Undermine the Church." This was a powerful show. Be sure to listen in on KTIS AM 900, or listen online at: www.faith900.com 

Now on to my topic...

Recently I wrestled with some uncharitable feelings towards someone who had hurt me on several occasions. I didn't gossip about this person. I didn't wish harm to him. He just bothered me and it bothered me so that I was bothered by him. 

I was tempted to stroll down memory lane and replay some the reasons for my frustration, but God interrupted my thoughts and whispered this across my heart, "Pray for his blessing and his success. Pray that he might be protected in his weakness, and covered when he feels exposed. Pray that My love surrounds him in such a way that he feels totally safe, totally loved, and totally cared for."

So thankful for the redirection of my thoughts, I began to pray, and pray I did. As I poured out my heart to God, my heart was filled with compassion and understanding towards someone who tends to rub me the wrong way. As I prayed my heart felt instantly lighter. Then another whisper crossed my heart. The Lord whispered to me "This, is the path of life." 

Right away I remembered Psalm 16:11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence the fullness of joy is found. At Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

Ultimately, the path of life, is the path of Calvary and the victory won there. First and foremost, our lives are saved through Christ's obedient walk to the Cross to defeat death and the punishment for sin on our behalves. 

But then there's the day-to-day walk of faith. Do we choose to bless or curse? To speak life or speak death? To contribute to our surroundings or to drain it of its resources? The Bible says that there are ways that seem right, but in the end they lead to death. 

I've heard stories of people feeling so justified in tearing down their pastor for his style of preaching that they ran him out of their church and drove him right into depression and disillusionment. Where's the life in that? I've said this many times before, but if we have to let go of love to defend our cause, we have lost our way.

The path of life is the place where God's power is most present. It's the place where our lives are most submitted to Hs will, and where our hearts are most pure. It's not necessarily about abstaining from this or that; it's much more active than that. It's about stepping into God's highest and best purposes for us, and, on behalf of those around us - each and every day. 

Do you want to know where the high road is in your life, in your day, in your hour? If you really want to know, He will show you. Read the first part of Psalm 16:11 again, "You will show me the path of life." 

Do you want your life to be so full of the life of God that you spill it out to everyone you meet? Stay hidden in Christ. Choose life. Look at the second part of that passage: In Your presence the fullness of joy is found. At Your right hand are pleasures forever more.

We don't find 'the fullness of joy' from getting our way or from proving we're right or from nursing a grudge. We find it in His presence where life abounds, forgiveness is given, and death is swallowed up in victory. 

The path of life is before you, every day, every hour. Just be still and quiet your heart and you'll hear Him say, "This is the way; walk ye in it." 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way;walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21).

~Until next week

Comments

[Katrina Zuelzke]

Thanks, Susie, for your words. It was exactly what I needed to hear today. God Bless!!

[Beck Gambill]

How do you do it, how is it that what you write is what I needed to hear?! Thanks for once again allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you. I choose life!

[Helen Martin]

Oh Susie that was sweet. Nothing earth shattering... It's just people. And you know how people are. :-)

Let's just say I'm praying lots of prayers of blessing lately. ;-)

People don't determined, or even validated, God's plan for me or my sphere of influence or my worth. And their rejection of me doesn't erase anything.

God decides. (Thanks again for that post.)

[Kathy S]

I was extremely blessed today (relating to this!) and have to share the story... My son just started NWC and has made new facebook friends. One of which I noticed was making homosexual innuendos on my son's wall, mostly harmless things like, "we should get married to save on tuition...I will wear the dress!" and other such things. It was disturbing me today when he called my son "Honey Bunches" so I prayerfully sent him a message about what it could say to onlookers, (and other obvious things to the sensitive soul) and he responded with humility and gratitude for me messaging him. He blessed my heart so much because it seems to be such an uncommon response to a gentle rebuke!!! I love that boy! I told him that I was thankful for his heart to honor Jesus! He did not defend his rights, but submitted to my wishes respectfully. God is good!!

[Vanessa Anderson]

Your thoughts are truly a blessing! Thanks for sharing. What struck me the most wasbwhen you stated "nursing a grudge"... I'm a nursing mom so I can relate entirely, it's best to stay away and even more important not feed/care for those negative unhealthy thoughts toward others especially when they have done something/or said something about or towards you. Thanks again!

[Rebecca]

I'm choosing the high road! Thanks for the reminder! Blessings on you Susie~

[Rebecca]

i want to choose the high road, too. thank you so much for sharing...just what i needed to hear!

[Anonymous]

There is so much wisdom and truth in your statement:

"if we have to let go of love to defend our cause, we have lost our way.

The path of life is the place where God's power is most present."

I am always astonished when people who use their mouths to call on the name of Jesus also use their mouths to tear down other believers, and non-believers. Where would the church be if we all endeavored to follow the command (not the option)all of the time??

Thanks Susie

[Katie]

I am often guilty of running down my pastor's preaching style...but needed to hear how destructive it is, and how love needs to come in and bridge that gap. Thank You.

[Cherie Wilson]

Oh so sweet, Susie!! The Lord gave me Isaiah 30:21 just this morning! Yes, I squealed with delight when I got to the bottom of your post and it was there! What a delight:)I want to be in the place where I have an unoffendable heart, too. He wants me there. This is when the world (and my family) will see Him through me, He reminded me just yesterday. The world and all it's sense of entitlement and offended hearts needs to know there is a better way. I believe the Bible says that in these end times that people will have offended hearts. (I will have to search for that!)Also, I need to have an unoffendable heart so as to hear "in which way to walk"! Thankyou for showing so much of that glorious WAY Susie! Lord shine on her and keep her close.......and her dear family!! XO

[Susie Larson]

Katrina,

I'm SO grateful God used this post to encourage you! Blessings and grace to you!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Beck,

Thanks for stopping by each week! May God continue to speak to us and through us! And may He keep you in perfect peace. Blessings~

[Susie Larson]

Helen,

You are right, God decides. Even so, rejection, betrayal, and conflict are SO painful and can be so gut-wrenching. I'm sorry you're walking through such a season. I do pray that in the coming days you will sense God's loving arms around you, giving you strength and courage. People are fickle and our opinions change like the weather (and even with the weather); it matters so little what we think. What God thinks is of supreme importance, and He thinks you are a treasure to be treasured. Blessings to you.

[Susie Larson]

Wow, Kathy. Sounds like you have a great relationship with your son. I love my boys too, so very much! I can't believe how difficult this transitional season has been for me. They're all in their twenties; we have great relationships with them; but in the best-case-most-healthy-scenario, they need to leave and build their own lives. And they're doing just that. Yikes. I love them and don't want them living in my basement when they're forty, so I'm grateful they have lives. But man, I wasn't prepared for the suddenness of my empty nest. Okay, that was probably too much information for this little blog post but I get the feeling you know what I mean. :) Bless you, sweetie!

[Susie Larson]

Vanessa,

Thanks for stopping by and for posting a comment. And may God bless you as you nurse your little one! It really is amazing to note life-lessons all around us (in nature, parenting, sports, etc.). God is always speaking...May we be always listening. Blessings to you!

[Susie Larson]

Rebecca,

It seems to me that you live on the high road! Bless you, my dear!

[Susie Larson]

Dear Rebecca,

Thanks so much for stopping by! May God grant you the desires of your heart. May He fill you up with more of Himself. :)

[Susie Larson]

Dear 'Anonymous',

I always appreciate your thought-provoking posts. I'm thankful to have you stop by! To me, the whole 'walk by the Spirit and do not gratify the desires of the flesh' is profound and wonderful. We could talk weeks on that topic alone. :) Blessings.

[Susie Larson]

Cherie,

Thanks so much for your post. I just love your heart for the things of God. And your closing prayer on my behalf was especially sweet. Bless you big time! :)