Much to my dismay, once warm weather arrived–the kind of temperatures where windows can be open allowing cool breezes to fill the house–along comes an occasional “thing” that doesn’t belong.

Since the month of May I have found a variety of small spiders in the house…as well as a few ants–the large black ones to be exact–the ants cause me to become more angry for some reason. I have found them on the kitchen counter, under the sink…most recently one was walking on the kitchen soffit … .I found one in the hallway near the thermostat and this morning one was crawling on my barefoot as I sat in the office checking email!

Those three ants did not belong in either spot when I found them! Goodness, if they were looking for a tasty crumb or a cool drink neither of those were on their path. Which leads me to Psalm 37: 5. How many of us wander from the right path that God has set before us?

This verse–one of my favorites–says “Commit your way to the Lord;…”

Months ago I listened to a teaching on this verse and was amazed at what I learned. The “way” mentioned here refers to a road, a journey, a path and when we realize that it’s God who creates that very road…that “way”, and we “commit” ourselves to His design, in essence we are “rolling” on top of the path…we are not merely walking along without purpose or an end goal. Living a committed life keeps us “where we belong”…unlike my small ant visitors who truly don’t belong in my house–they were created to live in the outdoors creating homes and doing work in the dirt!

So, why commit–roll over–and remain on the road that God built for you? The answer comes in the next portion of the verse…(we) trust in Him and He will do “this”. What will He do? What exactly does “this” refer to for us?  “He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun”. Sounds like a very hot bright result, doesn’t it?

Who doesn’t want to shine brightly when faced with darkness? Who doesn’t want to be part of something big–a worthy cause–I know that I can say “yes” to both possibilities. Because of my relationship with Christ, Who made me righteous with His death on a cross…with my acceptance of His gift of salvation which redeems me, changes me, gives me new life…I can discern the path He has laid before me…ask for guidance to stay rolled over on the road paved by Him…wake each day trusting that because of Christ in me I can shine His Light to all I meet…take up worthy causes…stay where I belong and not wander off seeking what I need in all the wrong places.

Psalm 37 is a great read. Many of its commands are circled and underlined from numerous readings … .which only proves that more than once I’ve landed on its 40 verses to glean instruction, comfort, and develop my understanding of how to read God’s road map for my life.