Turned Around

“Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” (Psalm 84:10 NIV)

I recently read an article about an ultramarathoner who lost his bearings during a trail race. He ended up running several miles in the wrong direction. After a few miles of not seeing any other runners, he wondered if he was still on the right track--yet he kept going, not wanting to slow down and lose ground. Finally, he saw some campers and asked for directions. He was hoping they would confirm that he was still on the right path. He wasn’t, and they told him so.  He was so far off course that he had to forfeit the race. All his effort was wasted.

Even a few steps in the right direction is better than several miles in the wrong direction. Misguided productivity can be useless, even destructive. Most of us would rather be doing something than nothing, even when we feel disoriented. We may ask others for directions--but we are hoping they will validate our delusions, not question our choices.

Even one day in God’s presence, following His path, is better than years of self-indulgence. The steps we take determine the direction of our lives. Every decision leads to a set of outcomes. We get to choose how we spend this day, this hour. We can go off on our own, chasing after self-gratification or walk steadily on the road revealed by God.

“Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:27 NLT)