The other night we had a great conversation about how we know if we are on the right path or not. The question was, “Do we have a destiny?”

There are many examples God gives us in the Bible that tells us the answer to this debate, in my humble opinion.

Starting in Genesis with the creation of man and woman in the image of God. Adam and Eve were given a great deal of latitude in their life. They had one guard rail, not to eat of one particular tree. They screwed that up!

Street Sign #1: Genesis 2:17 – “…but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”

The second street sign read “dead end.” Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden of Eden and told to go labor over the earth. They could not go back into the Garden.

There are some other streets signs with some of Adam and Eve’s children, but lets jump ahead to Abram.

Street Sign #3: Genesis 12:1 – “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you;”

Now Abram had a choice. Obey God or not. Leave all he’s ever known or stay where life would be more comfortable, or go where God told him. Abram, being a man of faith, leaves.

Sometimes street signs are just stepping out in faith. Not only did he leave all he knew, but when all he had and all his nephew Lot had was to much for where they were, Abram gave Lot the choice to choose. Abram trusted in the Lord and in His provision. Abram being the elder had every right to make the first choice and take the best of the land, but being the man of God he was, he let Lot choose first.

Let’s jump ahead again to Elijah. This is one of my favorite parts of Scripture.

1Kings 19:13 – “When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Please read the entirety of this account to help understand the backstory. But here we have a mighty prophet being questioned by God why he was where he was. The inference for me is, Elijah was not where he was supposed to be. Elijah took a wrong turn and God called him on it.

How about Mary and Joseph, Jesus’s parents? Mary had a major street sign placed in front of her and she received it with grace and humility. Joseph was told not to divorce his wife to be. They were directed where to go when baby Jesus was in danger. Street signs all over the place directing the steps of our Saviors parents.

Jesus when He started His ministry had specific places He wanted and needed to go. He even said “I only say what My Father says and do what My Father does.” (John 8:38 and John 5:19)

The Apostle Paul was not allowed to go to the province of Asia by the Holy Spirit.

So I believe there is a path the Lord our God has planned for us. The question is are we seeking this path. I am so grateful for Jesus’s beautiful gift of grace that covers all my poor and wrong decisions. Sure there are consequences at times for not making a wise decision, or going down the wrong road, but God in all His patience and mercy, doesn’t waste anything and redirects our steps.

Last but not least:

Psalm 119:105 – Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Seeking Gods counsel in all things. Through the Word, pray, or brothers and sisters in Christ, can help keep us on the straight and narrow path right up to that narrow gate.