We make hundreds of choices every day, so how do we know we have been making the right ones? Hopefully, we are able to learn from our mistakes, and even occasionally, we can learn from the teaching of others before making other mistakes. Experience seems to be a good teacher if we have a good awareness of our successes and failures. Over the past day, I made several mistakes and near mistakes that would probably have not been made if I had not been in a hurry, or would have planned my steps a little better. From dinging my elbow, to making a mess on the garage floor during an oil change, they were not major mistakes, but things where I should have known better. Where have you messed up today? How will your successes and failures impact what you will do tomorrow?
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. Proverbs 14:12
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. Psalm 119:133
Most of our mistakes are born of our ignorance, pride, and selfishness. We don’t ask for help when we are not sure what to do or how to do something. Our pride keeps us from seeking advice or even learning from our past mistakes. Or we want to do what makes us feel good, no matter if it is harmful to others or even to ourselves. When we are aware of our actions and consequences, hopefully we are able to admit our faults, our sins, and change our direction. We can even learn from our ‘small’ mistakes to keep us from making ‘big’ mistakes. Do your failures lead you to discouragement or determination to make some changes?
Do as I do, for I am doing as Christ did. 1 Corinthians 11:1
Whether you realize it or not, others are learning from you. Your family and your co-workers are watching and listening to you and picking up things as you go about each day. Maybe you had the same experience as a child, but kids only need to see or hear something once and it can be locked in their memory for good. Something as simple as how you keep your word leaves an impression on others. Your word is your reputation. Others will believe or doubt what you say depending on how well you keep your word to them. We may do the same with God. Once we are able to see how his Word holds up to what He says, leads us to trust it even more in the future.
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Who is watching? I often remind myself to try and make decisions as if your boss, your whole family, God, and the whole world is watching. I find this helps me avoid some selfish or stupid mistakes that cause trouble down the line, but is not fool proof, especially when I am acting like a fool. I admit that I am not perfect, but if we strive for perfection and to get things right each time, our percentages go up. If we turn ourselves in the right direction, and keep our eyes on our destination, we are less likely to wander from the path, to stumble or fall. Plus, when we are walking in good company, it makes the journey a little easier and more enjoyable. Enourage others as we walk this road together!
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14
Blessings in Christ,
Clark
