Are you looking back on the last year and feeling like you derailed somewhere along the way, or is it just me? I started well, with the best intentions. In fact, my Word of the Year was “intentional.” I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, I got off track.
Train derailment is not a pretty sight. The massive locomotive is gliding smoothly along the tracks then suddenly, the cars lunge off the tracks and start plowing through everything in their path. Sparks fly as the conductor engages the brakes, hoping to minimize the damage. The aftermath is a mess of jumbled train cars that takes a lot of work and a lot of time to clean up. Even minor derailments result in a disruption of the railway system.
Many different issues contribute to train derailments, and many different issues contributed to mine. The enemy was working overtime to throw me off track. In the end, I ended up with a jumbled mess to clean up. So, as I start the cleanup, it’s got me thinking: How can I avoid future derailments?
Pay attention to the track I’m on.
Right from the start, I need to be on the right track and headed in the right direction. Am I cruising along God’s track or careening down my own? If faulty tracks are the number one cause of derailments, I must avoid faulty tracks.
Make sure all my systems are working.
If I’m not regularly spending time in the Word of God, my whole decision-making process will be out-of-whack. If I allow the outside world to impact my thought process, my systems start to short-circuit and things go sideways quickly.
Stay alert and don’t go too fast.
The enemy is constantly throwing things in my path hoping to cause a crash. If my judgment is impaired or I’m moving too fast, I won’t even notice. But if I’m paying attention and moving along at a safe pace, I’ll be ready to hit the brakes when trouble appears.
Stay in communication with the operator.
God is the one who has set my destination and He always knows what’s up ahead. If I stay in regular communication with Him and allow Him to guide me, the journey will be smoother, and I’ll avoid disaster.
The course of my life is in Your power. – Psalm 31:15 CSB
If you’re looking back and seeing a jumbled mess, don’t worry. It’s never too late to get back on track. There are 365 mornings in the year. That is 365 opportunities for a fresh start. Just because you got off track yesterday, doesn’t mean you can’t get back on track today. God’s mercies are new every day.
