My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Proverbs 4:20–27, ESV
We are called to be different as people when we call ourselves followers of Christ. This does not mean we are to be arrogant or haughty. We are not meant to look down on others, but we are to live and act differently than others and not partake in certain activities. Ultimately, we are called to be honest in our speech and not seek to do things that will bring harm or conceal our true intentions. It can be easy for us to be distracted, and sometimes our emotions and anger can get the best of us, which will cause us to do things contrary to God’s will and word. Thankfully, we worship a forgiving God, and we know that through Jesus Christ, we can find restoration for all our sins and failures. Yet, this does not excuse us to live in ways that are contrary and to flaunt our Lord’s Law purposely. We are called to be a people centered in Christ. When we fall outside of this, we are to seek to return and leave behind all that is not of Him. Ultimately, we are called to be focused on God’s word and His ways so that we do not veer into directions that will lead us into places of false hope and false belief. Like a horse with blinders, we are to be focused on the path that our Lord has prepared ahead of us and not to stray from it, but stay steadfast with the Cross ever before our eyes. We are a people led by the Holy Spirit, and not to turn away but remain vigilant. Our mission field is set before us, and our Lord has prepared our path. Let us be faithful to follow Him and trust in His mercy and care all the days of our lives.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.