A Path in the Wilderness

The other day I came across an interesting article on parent's advice for their children. This got me thinking about where I'm at in my life. What experiences that have molded me into the character I've become. And what advice could I pass down to future generations. I remember when I was a young bride standing next to my handsome husband at our wedding reception. Everyone around the room gave a tid bit of advice as the microphone was passed across the room to relatives, friends, and associates. I heard, "never go to bed angry," "always say you love each other before you leave the house," and "treat each other with respect." I almost think its a little cliche if you ask me. Half the individuals don't even practice their own advice in their own marriages. It's as if people are programed to say certain things to be socially accepted. But as the Lord says, You will be known by the fruit you bare.

I suppose you could say I was starting to examine my own fruit. Then it hit me. Every decision I've made up to now has set me on a course for my future. I've made some really bad decisions but I've made good ones too. I believe the best advice I've ever received is from an elderly man. He told me, "your twenties dictate the path of your future. What you decide to do in your twenties will set your foundation for the rest of your life." It's true if you think about it. That's when you get your education, get married, most have children, start a career, etc.. My twenties have come and gone but I thought about my own piece of advice for my future children.

When you become a young adult you will have many decisions you have to make. There are three classifications of people in the life.

The first group are blessed to have wise council. This group of individuals are given a map to the path of success. They are not only shown the location of the path but given advice of where and when to be cautious on the journey.

The second group are truly blessed. They weren't given a guided tour of the path or told the location of the path. However, they searched it out and found it on their own. And without any advice they stumbled a few times on their journey. However, they become very acquainted with this path (knowing every twist and turn). Before long they could guide anyone blind folded because of their will and determination to press on, even during the pot holes, canyons, and peaks. They become the most experienced hikers of them all.

Then their is the third group who are plain lost. They don't even know that they should be looking for a path. They are still in the wilderness sitting in the sticks. They aren't doing much of anything. They are bored and depressed because they have nothing to do.

In life you have to make a decision. Some, like the first group, are granted a lot of great advantages. They know nothing but the path of success. But for most of us their comes a time when you have to decide if you are willing to do the work to find the path of success. If you decide to travel that path you will meet up with other hikers. They will be positive, encouraging, optimistic, and hard workers. However, if you decide to stay in the forest you'll be surrounded by laziness, depression, discouragement, criticizing, and oppression. One way or another the decision is made.

Some don't even know that they have already made the decision. If you decide not to do anything at all you've made your decision. That's why it's important to examine the fruit of others. Their works, what they have produced in their lives. Don't listen to words but look for evidence. If the people you are surrounded by have rotten fruit you need to begin to search for the path. And if you've been on the path and all of sudden you see fruit flies you'll know that you need to turn around in a hurry.

This is the advice I'll be handing down to my children. This is what I've learned so far in life. Success isn't so much about material possessions, self gratification, or spiritual pride. It's about relationships that you surround yourself with. What you do for others and what others do for you. You have decisions that are made every single day of your life. What type of character will you be today? Will you encourage or discourage others? Will you follow the path or sit in the wilderness? It's wise to make decisions for your life rather than life making the decisions for you.