The Path of Life
You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures. Psalm 16:11
When I think about the literal paths I’ve walked, several vivid memories come to mind. I remember my first time hiking the Rattlesnake Trail at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina—a winding route that leads to a beautiful mountain summit where you can see for miles. I think about the hike to Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park with my FUGE Camps team during the last summer I worked camp, a journey where we challenged each other to reach the top. I recall the trail Danette and I followed last fall to a stunning overlook of the Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park. And I smile at the memory of taking our dog, Corra, on what I thought would be a quick hike, only to discover it was a six-mile trek.
On each of these trails, I didn’t have a map—I simply followed the path laid out before me. Along the way, I often found myself wondering how much longer it would take, and at times, I even thought about turning back. Concerns crept in—what if I ran into a bear or a snake? The path was rarely straight. It twisted and turned, with hills and valleys. Some stretches were rocky and slippery, others steep and exhausting. More than once, I had to stop and catch my breath, taking short breaks before pressing on. I would have missed out on so much if I had turned around or chosen not to participate because it took too much time and effort or because I was afraid that I couldn’t do it or of what I might encounter.
The path of life comes with its share of twists and turns, as well as highs and lows. A key point to remember is that God has a unique path for each of us. He has a plan and purpose for our lives. It may not always be easy or fun, but He loves us and goes before us.
Psalm 100 serves as a guide for navigating life's path and experiencing joy, fully embracing Him. Read it now.
1 Let the whole earth shout triumphantly to the Lord!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God. He made us, and we are his—his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
5 For the Lord is good, and his faithful love endures forever; his faithfulness, through all generations.
Praise (verses 1-2) aligns our path and reorients our hearts away from ourselves and toward God. Our life is sustained by worship, celebrating God, His power, and His holiness. True worship is not noise; it’s purposeful and joy-filled. How might your day look differently if you started by focusing on God?
Acknowledgment (verse 3) of God in all aspects of our lives will allow us to grow in our intimacy with Him. He becomes more than our Saviour. He becomes the Lord of our lives. When we invite God into our decisions, plans, relationships, and struggles, we are more likely to recognize His voice and follow His path, rather than doing our own thing. How could acknowledging God in all areas of your life help you find more joy and contentment?
Thanksgiving (verse 4) shifts our perspective. Gratitude overshadows our negativity and complaining. When we live thankful lives, we see God in our circumstances, even in the ordinary and the difficult. Gratitude becomes a compass pointing us back to His presence over and over again. How might stopping to express gratitude throughout your day shift your perspective?
Heeding (verse 5) God’s voice and direction in our lives will help us not to make poor decisions but rather to experience all that God has for our lives. If we look only to our own desires or allow fear and comfort to win out, we will miss out. God is good and faithful. He wants what is best for us. We must follow His lead. In what area of your life do you need to heed God’s prompting?
Each of us has our own path in life. You may be trying to figure it out right now. Perhaps you are waiting on God to reveal it to you. You may be following your path to the fullest. Or you may find yourself on the wrong path. Regardless of where you are on your journey, this psalm redirects our attention to something bigger: God Himself—and shows us a way marked by joy, gratitude, service, and a more profound sense of identity. Look to Him, and He will show you the way!
Call to Action
What might personal worship look like for you? Carve out time in your schedule to make it happen.
In what area of your life do you need God’s guidance and direction? Turn it over to Him now and watch what He does.
In what practical way can you live a life of gratitude? Go ahead and start today.
Digging Deeper
Read these additional verses: Psalm 16:9 and 11, Psalm 37:23, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:10, Philippians 1:6.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me enough to have a purpose, plan, and path for my life. Reveal your will to me, and allow me to see it, acknowledge it, and heed it.
Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens
