"Straight"

 I try to plow my furrows straight,

And pull a line for posts,

I don’t want hurry to negate,

What I desire the most.

To do things right, deliberate,

And correctly get it done,

But oftentimes I clearly state,

I’ll get off track, old son.

A little off but not by much,

At first you cannot tell,

But go a ways the crooked touch,

 Will point you straight to hell.

But I have a promise,

I think I have this right,

And I am being honest,

And looking to the light.

Trust in the Lord with all my heart,

That’s how the Good Book reads,

Acknowledge Him, He’ll do His part,

And help me with my needs.

He’ll give me wisdom and will guide,

To take the path that’s straight,

And when I waiver I’ll confide,

His grace for me is great.

There’s a straight and narrow way,

That few can seem to find,

But it is there and what I say,

Is don’t be left behind.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV)

Straight paths are what we need. God’s recipe for receiving this from God involve three things: trust in the Lord, don’t lean on your own understanding, and acknowledge Him in everything. These combine to position us to receive God’s guidance, the straightening of our paths. Only God can untie our knots and replace confusion with direction. But it only comes when we trust Him wholeheartedly, refuse to counsel ourselves, and surrender control to Him. This is not always easy but it’s always worth it.

Lord, straighten our paths, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tim Cox, used by permission. Thanks, Tim, and God bless you.