I had to get a photo – of this minivan with a magnet saying “Do you follow Jesus this closely?” – cute – but a good question…

There was another road construction stretch yesterday – and wow that road was smooth and fabulous – they were still painting and I thought to take a photo of the template set down before the arrow was painted – so interesting to use a dotted line template before filling it in. This is how I pre-wrote letters for my kids – especially of their names when they were starting to learn how to write (they both are well educated now and marvelous in being smart – my daughter just got her first review and a glowing review it was! plus a raise! yeah! my son is interested in pursuing higher education more too – and I keep learning!)

As for a scripture for following Jesus – I think the dotted lines are appropriate – because we know the direction but how that arrow is filled in will be so unique to us and to how the Lord must make it brighter and brighter for us to really understand. This arrow was faint but I saw it – the next one will be painted and clear – the next level would likely be an overhead sign, and then there is the all out “flashing lights” for direction you can’t miss and/or traffic light addition that could be used for regulation. All in All – the direction is to THAT direction. 

We need direction and we also need that forgiveness when we go the wrong way – sometimes we don’t see the arrow that is faint – sometimes we are asleep at the wheel – sometimes we are purposefully plotters of plodders into muck and mud or a disastrous wrong turn. In scripture story, King David took some disastrous wrong turns and paid the price in both sorrow and being pursued by enemies. David went down the wrong path, but he did then look for the light – the flashing light of LIFE in Jesus. Psalm 25 prays to be forgiven, delivered, and set on the right path again. We should all pray this… Keep my soul, and deliver me… Show me… Teach me… Lead me…

If only we could follow as closely as a car magnet – or have our dotted lines and lives filled in by our glorious painter for clearer direction. If only we keep on the road that is newly paved for us. If only we recognize our only way to Jesus is to ask forgiveness and for His Loving Kindness – Mercy for the sins we do, Grace for the acts we can not repair but do repent for. We must turn to prayer for everything in between… 

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth…

Amen

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Psalm 25 NKJV

A Plea for Deliverance and Forgiveness – A Psalm of David.

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, I trust in You;
Let me not be ashamed;
Let not my enemies triumph over me.
Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed;
Let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.

Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they are from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions;
According to Your mercy remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

Good and upright is the Lord;
Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.
The humble He guides in justice,
And the humble He teaches His way.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth,
To such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For Your name’s sake, O Lord,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.

Who is the man that fears the Lord?
Him shall He teach in the way He chooses.
He himself shall dwell in prosperity,
And his descendants shall inherit the earth.
The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him,
And He will show them His covenant.
My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
For He shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me,
For I am desolate and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses!
Look on my affliction and my pain,
And forgive all my sins.
Consider my enemies, for they are many;
And they hate me with cruel hatred.
Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.

Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all their troubles!