While training for the marathon, my sister-in-law and I sometimes met at a park where we were able to vary our route in order to complete the scheduled long run for that week. For our 14-milers, we ran a 7-mile circle twice.  We would start at 5:30 or so in the morning, and the first part of our runs were done in the dark. You never knew if the dark spot you were stepping into was a pile of leaves, just some dirt, a muddy puddle, or something a little more messy! During the beginning of our second trip around one day, she commented on how it was like a whole new route since the sun had appeared and had begun to light our way.

This observation triggered a thought in my mind: We are all on this journey of life, but which route are you racing down- the Lighted path or the dark one? You are either running it with or without God. With purpose, or aimlessly. Knowing where you are heading, or wondering where you’ll wind up.

As 2012 begins, my prayer is that the steps of your life are illuminated by God’s Word (Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Ps. 119:105). While God does not reveal to us all that lay ahead in our path, we can trust that He will make our paths straight (Prov. 3:5-6) when we keep our focus on Him- the immovable focal point! May God’s love compel you in all that you do in this upcoming year, and may He receive all the glory for what will be accomplished in and through you! Happy New Year to you and your family!

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:5-10