Make Straight Paths
By
Shelby G. Floyd
After recording numerous heroes of faith, the writer of the book of Hebrews exhorted his readers to be faithful also regardless of the trials they might have to endure. He encouraged them to lay aside anything that would hinder them and any sin that would be- set them: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). They were to be motivated to run the Christian race because of those faithful heroes that now surround them as a great cloud of witnesses. God as a loving father would discipline them and help them to be faithful (Hebrews 12:5-11).
But God will not do all of the work himself. Man must do his part also. Therefore they were encouraged to strengthen their hands and feeble knees in order not to fall by the wayside. They were to make straight paths for their feet and others, in order that those who were lame might not fall and be injured. By making straight paths for their feet their lameness might heal and be whole again: “…make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:13). Recently, several in my physical and spiritual families have had knee injuries and knee replacements. They will testify that it is very important to have an uncluttered path in order that they might not stumble and fall, but rather be healed.
It is up to each one of us to make a straight path for our own feet and to make sure that we do not put a stumbling block in the path for others to fall and be injured. Jesus said it would be better if we had a millstone around our neck and we were drowned in the sea than to put a stumbling block in the path of believers in him. Perhaps this is what Solomon had in mind when he wrote to his son:
Proverbs 4:25-27
Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.
Every Christian must make every effort to make a straight path
for his own feet and for the feet of others. If we do not there is a good
chance that we will fall short of the grace of God (Hebrews
Shelby G. Floyd