Have you ever wandered aimlessly down the aisles of a store? You’re just seeing what’s on sale, and looking at displays. Before you know it, things have made their way into your shopping cart. Wandering aisles leads to impulse buying.
We can wander spiritually, too.
Sometimes, we are ripe for any teaching that comes along to make us feel good or better about ourselves or the situation we are in. We don’t mean to buy into something other than what the bible teaches; but we give in to our impulses.
We are a fickle people, prone to wander from our Savior just like a sheep wanders away from his Shepherd, convinced the grass is greener over in the other pasture.
The solution is a daily decision.
It seems no matter how spiritually mature we may think we are, we are prone to being led astray. Each day, we must fix our minds on Him. Where we keep our thoughts matter, because our thoughts lead our bodies.
I don’t know how you feel; but my life is too short to waste time wandering astray. I’m a sheep with a mission and that is to reach my heavenly destination intact, looking like Jesus, and influencing others to join me on the journey.
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 NLT
Since I’ve spent my life in the church, hymns come to mind frequently. When I hear the word, “wander,” immediately I think of the phrase, “prone to wander,” and this song:
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I just want you to know how highly I value those of you who visit my little piece of the cyberspace to read my words. I believe my calling is to encourage others with words of hope and blessing. Thank you especially to those who respond with comments. You make it worthwhile!
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This post was written in response to the prompt, “wander,” given to the community at Five Minute Friday. In interest of full disclosure, I did write for 5 minutes, and then took more time choosing photos and headings.
I’ll be sharing this with the following communities:
Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth
Inspire Me Monday, Remember Me Monday
Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up
Let’s Have Coffee, Recharge Wednesday, Tune In Thursday
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All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
Very true – we sure do need to be careful where we wander! I love the song you shared.
It’s interesting to see all the different approaches to just a one-word prompt, isn’t it?
I’m your neighbor at FMF#15 this week.
I love seeing how creative the minds of all of God’s children are! Thanks for dropping by, Kym!
We Christians are a fickle lot,
ignoring Jesus with abandon,
with courtesy quite soon forgot
and shouting, “Let’s go, Brandon!”
We resent that we should pray
for our doubtful leaders,
and find a guru who will say
that they’re just bottom-feeders,
unworthy of the gentle grace
we channel from above,
and so we get into their face
and try to block God’s love,
neglecting vital recollection
that in them we see God’s reflection.
I should qualify this by saying that I am no supporter of the current administration (I am a ways to the right of Ghengis Khan, of whom I am a descendant), but even less do I hold with incivility.
Andrew, thank you sharing your wonderful poem. And yes, I agree, there is no excuse to act uncivil. We can be kind as well as firm.
We are definitely a fickle bunch!
But God can break the hold this habit has on us.
Amen! Praying we can be submissive sheep instead of always wanting to go our own way.
This is so true.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Sandra!
Hi Jerralea,
Yes, we do need to have discernment with everything really & every wind of doctrine!
Actually I just had this yesterday, I thought I had found a great Bible resource, excitedly telling hubby all about it.
And on the surface it looked wonderful but the deeper I looked into it, the more concerned I became of the subtle misdirections & twisting of Bible truths! 😬
Great reminder my friend!
Thank you,
Jennifer
Great reminder that false teaching often dresses up in subtle shades. Thanks for dropping by,Jennifer!
Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee!
Yes, amen!
Good to see you here, Lauren!
I think we are on the same track, Jerralea!
If we are both on the same path, Michele, I count myself blessed. I always learn a lot when visiting your piece of the cyberspace.
Loved “life is too short to waste time wandering astray”…so true!
The longer I live,the more I’m convinced of the brevity of life. Thanks for coming by, Jan.
Oh we are so prone to wander. And new ideas do catch our eyes and heart. I have realized this in myself and am trying to see that often they bring little benefit.
Yes, there is something alluring about a new idea; but we must search the scripture and see if it is so before adopting it as our own.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, Theresa!
Come Thou Fount has been going through my head for a few days. I’ve come to realize that I do not like to wander aimlessly through a mall or store. Never have. I want to stay focused and get it done. And I need to apply that same attitude spiritually each and every day! Stay focused. Keep my thoughts on Him. Look up. I must do this intentionally every day. Blessings!
Being intentional is so important! Thanks for dropping by, Joanne.
Fickle indeed. You hit the nail on the head here. Thank you for this great message today. Blessings.
Thank you for your kind words, Paula!