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I like preparing things. I like to cook. I love hosting gatherings, planning party details, and preparing for guests. When my kids graduated from high school, I spent countless hours prepping for the celebrations we hosted. When my son got married, we hosted a bridal shower and the rehearsal dinner. Each party was packed with preparation, and each was wonderful.
When presidents, dignitaries, and heads of state are going to visit a particular town they often send people ahead of them to make sure the area is made ready for their visit. This is a different type of preparation than my domestic kind. They are serious about vetting each location regarding security. They vet out the people that will be in attendance and in charge. They prepare the way for those to whom they are in service.
In Matthew 3:3, John the Baptist told God’s people to “prepare the way for the Lord” … to purify their hearts and get ready for Jesus to come, redeem, restore, heal, love, challenge, and change the world.
John the Baptist modeled this well. He went to Jerusalem, all of Judea, and to the whole region of the Jordan telling the people of Israel to repent and prepare the way for Jesus by “making straight paths for Him” (Matthew 3:6).
Prepare the way. Make straight paths.
Since these are not modern things to say, it is a smidge confusing, right?
I wondered about it, so I investigated a bit further. Here’s what I found out. The Strong’s Bible Concordance tells us that the word for “paths” in this verse is the Greek word tribos, which means, “a worn way.” (Strong’s Number G5147)
Worn.
Interesting.
When I think of things that are worn, I think of things that are familiar. Known. Broken in. Comfortable.
I love my worn jeans and the well-worn path I walk on in the woods by my house. I love my worn leather shoes and my worn Bible.
As I think about this phrase further, a few thoughts cross my mind about a “worn way.”
When a path is worn it is easy to follow. Natural.
When a path is worn, it leads to a specific destination.
These observations cause me to reflect. Have I worn a path for my heart, soul, and mind to welcome and prioritize Jesus today?
Do my thought patterns, spiritual disciplines, and behaviors pave a worn path to truth and grace?
Do my actions “prepare the way” for others to encounter and wonder about Jesus?
Every life points somewhere.
My life will either point people toward Jesus or away from Him. Yours will too.
I want to be a worn-path-to-Jesus woman… but how?
I make straight paths for others to see Jesus when I’m kind, when I’m slow to anger, when I’m quick to forgive and quick to listen. When I’m compassionate, faithful, and humble.
I make straight paths for others to see Jesus when I am accessible and honest. When I choose His peace over my impatience and His joy over my frustrations.
I become the worn way for my loved ones, my co-workers, and community to see Jesus when I am influenced by and responsive to the ways He loves, shows compassion, and gives grace freely.
Every day brings opportunities to influence others toward Jesus. Let’s prepare our hearts to shine in and through us today as we pray.
Dear Lord, Please purify my heart. Lead me in Your ways and make me a worn path to You. Help me to live in such a way that it makes others want to know You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What is one thing you can do today to prepare the way for your family, your workplace, and your community to see Jesus?
Let’s pray together today. Meet me in the comments section to share your heart and pray for one another.
Comments 9
I love the well worn prayer path, I think of the hymn ‘Foot Steps of Jesus.’ My way of preparing to follow His well worn path is to give up myself through Scripture, meditation and prayer before the day begins. I need Him in every way before anything else. Then, lean on Him to be my words, actions and guide. Any other way will lead me to failure. Sometimes it’s one minute of focus on the Father’s will, His way that makes the difference in how the issue at hand turns out. His well worn path is so much better than mine. I’m praying for all of you today, Sisters in faith. We will follow the steps of Jesus where ere they go.🎶
I love the idea of a worn path, natural and comfortable, leading me directly to the heart of our Lord. May I embrace and produce that comfort and peace leading others down the worn path to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
When we think a thought repeatedly, it literally forms grooves in our brain, or neural pathways. Hence, the difficulty in changing our thought patterns. I’m asking God to form neural pathways that always lead back to him and obedience to him.
I absolutely this idea. Praying the same for myself and others.
Thank you Sharon. X
Help me Lord to live my life as an offering to you each and every day. Life, really is short. ❤️
I love.helping people i am a cheerful giver I love to tell people about my father Jesus and what he.as done for me even I am in pain I still thank him trying to obey his commandments with my breast burst and.fighting that tbing in breast I will never give up on my jesus praying a lot most time fasting and teaching people to love him hallelujah not working but God provides parents one blind the other broke thigh bone and not working but only my father always there for us thsnk u Jesus
Father God help us to prepare our hearts with Your word and lives by living as an offering to you so that others will see and desire You. 🙏
Gwen, I enjoyed your message this morning and thank you. I never thought of the word path as worn but makes perfect sense now.
God Bless
Linda
Today I’m going to see family I haven’t seen in decades since I migrated. During this time we have matured spiritually and have resolved misunderstandings. I pray that we will acknowledge the Christ in every one of us.