Familiar Paths
by Jilly Lyon-Taylor
During the lockdown I have been enjoying much longer walks in the countryside than I previously found time for. This has been of great benefit to me, and my dog seems to appreciate it too! Initially we were discouraged from driving the car to places for exercise, so I would walk on familiar paths from my house. One day, however, I thought it would be good to have a change, so I decided to browse a map of the area to see if I could find a new route. When I did this, I discovered footpaths that I never knew existed. I planned a wonderful long walk, which took me through beautiful countryside with interesting flora and fauna to see along the way. If I had continued on the old familiar paths without looking for anything else, I would have missed out, not knowing that there was so much more to be enjoyed in the area.
It made me wonder if we are sometimes like this in our walk with the Lord. We can be quite content with our routine and with what we already know about Him. However, I believe there is so much more that we can discover about Him if we seek Him in a deeper way, and He wants to reveal more of Himself to each one of us.
The main way that He shows us more of Himself is through His word. Do we read it with expectancy, asking God to open our eyes so that we can see new and wonderful things about Him? Today’s verse encourages us to do this. As we draw near to Him, He promises to draw near to us (James 4:8), and that is especially true as we read His word. In Jeremiah 33:3 He promises that if we call to Him, He will answer us and tell us great and unsearchable things that we do not know.
Are we hungry for more of Him in our lives? Let’s draw near to Him today, with expectancy that He will not only draw near to us, but He will also reveal wonderful things about Himself to us. I believe there is so much more for each one of us.
Prayer: Lord, I am sorry if I have become stuck in a routine in my walk with You, without expectation of anything more. Please open my eyes today, so that I may see new and wonderful things about You, and will come to know You better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jilly Lyon-Taylor is part of the Leadership Team at Ellel Pierrepont. She worked in publishing and then with children in Hong Kong before concentrating on being a full-time mother and serving in the local church. Her desire to see people healed led her to the Luke Nine Eleven Training Scheme(NETS) at Pierrepont, and now she teaches and ministers there.
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