A long while back, someone shared with me an Alcoholics Anonymous story called Autobiography in Five Chapters (attributed to Portia Nelson).
I
I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in.I am lost. I am hopeless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.II
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I’m in the same place. But it isn’t my fault.It still takes a long time to get out.III
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I see it is there. I still fall in…it’s a habit. My eyes are open; I know where I am;It is my fault. I get out immediately.IV
I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I walk around it.V
I walk down another street.
Those words seem to echo the wisdom of Proverbs:
Hear, my child, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered; and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.
Proverbs 4:10-15
Part of the joy of the “getting of wisdom” is learning to walk on the path that God encourages, and to not walk down the wrong streets. Have I made this my practice?
Prayer
God, guide my feet to follow the path of Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior, today and every day. Amen.
