Where Are Your Feet Taking You? – Abide in the Vine

What’s something you intend to do, former procrastinators?  Share the gospel with that neighbor?  Teach your daughter how to bake?   Travel abroad?

Often, we don’t connect what we’re presently doing or not doing with where we will end up.  What we’re doing presently is the direction we’re going. Present behavior directs us on a path.

Scripture often uses “feet” to represent our behavior, our walk, even our lifestyle. “Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your precepts.”  Psalm 119:5.  What’s the path of your feet?  Are your ways established?  Proverbs 4:27. Do your ways keep you connected to the Vine?

Direction, not intention, determines destination.  A pastor said that. Wherever I intend to spend vacation, I will not get there unless I drive in that direction.  Sometimes we drive (direct our feet) in the opposite direction of where we say we want to end up.  Are we surprised? This is true in the area of character as well as in “getting things done.” 

Some negative and positive feet examples (with their destination):

Do your mail and purse land wherever you drop them (disorder and confusion)?  Or do you put them in their assigned place (order and convenience)?

Do you slip into repeating what you’ve heard (gossip)? Or do you discipline yourself to be a trustworthy confidante (faithful friend)?

Do you rush out the door and drive too fast (hurried, tense late arrival)? Or do you regularly leave home with margin (timely, calm arrival)?

Are you hoping to be in charge of women’s ministry but refuse to serve on “lesser committees” (feeling stuck, unwanted)? Or are you serving where needed, learning and growing in responsibility (becoming a leader)?

Are you merely hoping your teenagers will someday handle finances well (Ill-equipped for the job)?  Or are you instructing them using their own bank accounts (equipped and able teens)?

Remember…

We might not be able to go to the beach this week, but we can be saving up and making a plan.

Maybe you’re discouraged because you see yourself on a path to not enjoying a special interest, say, singing, any more.  Discern between a necessary break and neglect. Proceed with a break or do something to get yourself singing – lessons, choir, a Friday night sing along.

Maybe I struggle with clutter.  Careful about comparing myself without realizing where I really am. “I’m not as bad as Susie. Susie has a real problem.”  Hey – I’m on the same road as Susie.  She didn’t get where she is without being where I am now. 

Do what you genuinely can to be in God’s Word.  One verse to draw strength from all day is worthwhile.  Remember mini habits?  A little now keeps you primed for more later. Even one verse strengthens your connection to the Vine.

What do you intend?  Are your feet taking you there?

Consider one of your major intentions.  Are you moving in that direction?