Soul Scientist

Psalm 119:32 NCB I run in the path of Your precepts for You have set my heart free.

Last evening, I just about got myself stuck up in the middle of the far pasture on my family farm. I was walking back from the spring and didn’t realize how much energy and effort it took to walk through that pasture of thick waist-high hay. That is, I’d forgotten that this kind of walking wasn’t just a stroll down memory lane, it was work. And I wasn’t sure I had enough energy to complete this work without collapsing…

Sure, I had my cell phone and could’ve called for someone to pick me up on the ATV or tractor. But this stubborn soil scientist wanted to get back to the house on her own power. (Yes, that’s no surprise to those of you who know me well.) Anyway, as I was about to give up, sit down, and make the call, I found a path. A path from where the grass had been laid over by previous tractor drives through the pasture. So, I got on the path and what a difference it made!

I was still exhausted walking on the path, but it was easy in comparison to the trudging of before. Work became delight as I could amble along admiring wildflowers, butterflies, sleepy calves, trees, and the sunset while listening to doves and killdeer. The grass was still there and as thick as before, but the work wasn’t.

While thanking God for all of this, Psalm 119:32 popped into my head. And therein was the picture – when I’m trying to trudge and make a path through the thick waist-high grassy days of my life, I’m easily exhausted, frustrated, and close to stuck in what I can’t do while overwhelmed by what all needs to be done. Yet, when I seek, find, and walk on God’s plan for my day, what was work can become delight. That path of obedience laid out for me becomes an avenue lined with beauty and joy.

But this transformation only occurs when I choose to walk the path of God’s commands and plan. Most days, I set out on making my own path through the grass without realizing how much unnecessary work I’m doing in this process. And where do I end up? Exhausted, frustrated, and with many miles left to go before I sleep. How sharp the contrast is when I stop, seek, and stay on the path He’s mowed down for me in advance. Granted, His path might be a bit circuitous and seemingly not straight from point A to point B, but His path will always be full of lovely and of treasure to discover. The kind of lovely and treasure I probably would’ve missed in my determination to make my own way.

And like last night’s walk, memories of treasures found and conversation with my Good God on His path for me will energize for future obedience. Such memories will also strengthen my resolve to keep trusting my WayMaker God in the seemingly ordinary days which are really paths ripe with harvest and rich with joy for the now and for the not-yet.

Dear friend, I hope that you might be able to enjoy a good walk outside with our Good God soon. May He grace you with cool breezes on your face and soul and beautiful sights and sounds for your eyes, ears, and mind as you delight yourself in Him.

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Written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2023.