Back To Home Page To Archives - Spring of Life - H. Roger Bothwell Who's Your Director Do you ever stare at a child and wonder what kind of person they will be when they mature? As a psychology professor I sometimes flatter myself by thinking I can, after a few hours of observation, make a fairly good prediction. But that is my vanity making me feel good about myself. People can change. They can fool even the best psychologist. However, those people are the few. Most people continue on the path chosen very early in life and rarely change. What is a bit frightening is that path is chosen while cognitive skills are minimal and the choice is not so subtly influenced by others. Parents, teachers, siblings, friends and media celebrities are most often the directors. We think we are so clever and so much in charge of ourselves when in actually others made the really big decisions for us. I have always loved Proverbs 3:6. It was one of the memory verses I learned when I was a little guy. "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths." If others are going to influence us and direct us (and they will) surely we could not have a better guide than the one who created us and has a plan for our lives. In Psalm 31:3 the psalmist prays for God to be his rock, his fortress and his guide. And in John 16 Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit would be our guide. Does this mean we do not have to think but merely follow? Hardly. The path is fraught with allurements, temptations and traps. Wisdom dictates much prayer for clear sight and sharp thinking. I'm Roger Bothwell and my address is roger.bothwell@verizon.net or 151 Old Farm Rd. Leominster, MA 01453. Thank you for your support of our faith ministry. Past devotionals can be accessed at Archives