Don’t let your feet wander.

The problem of the desert-like conditions of the wilderness is the ease at which our feet could stumble. In a bid to make a run for the hills, we could fall off to the wayside. In our desperation to run out of the wilderness, we could find ourselves in a bind. God invites us to walk with Him, just like Noah and Enoch did. Their lives were not problem-free, I’m sure, and yet these men never ran ahead of God. They walked faithfully with God, the Bible assures us.

In our lives, we may not walk off the road marked for us, but when conditions are not ideal, we may find that we are tripping up on the smallest of obstacles. When you struggle with a chronic ailment, you start to think that maybe you’re not worthy of receiving healing from God. When you lose a loved one, you wonder if God has it out for you. When your prayers go unanswered, you consider quitting prayer altogether.

When your church or your pastor don’t understand your journey, you decide that friends outside the body of Christ are better to walk with.

Be aware of where you’re tripping up. Identify those toxic beliefs that are getting you off track. Beware of friends who lead you down dead-end streets of quick pleasure and immediate satisfaction.

The wilderness is hard, no doubt, but it’s your choice if you will keep your feet on the straight and narrow path that Jesus has marked out for you. The path will not necessarily get easier, nor will it feel familiar, with all its twists and turns. It will be the ancient paths that are tried and tested by Jesus himself. If you remember, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. In those 40 days of testing, the enemy threw everything he had at Jesus to get him to stumble in his earthly assignment. Jesus stayed steady and on course because He knew who sent him and what He was sent for. He didn’t waver for a second in doubt or backtrack from his primary purpose. To be more like Him should be our goal. Will your resolve be tested? Yes. Will you be tempted to go off course? Yes. If you follow Jesus closely, you will be surprised at how steady your feet will be.