The path of life is similar to natural paths: it leads to a destination, someone has gone before to create it, and it’s time-tested and established. What does it mean to find God’s path for you?

Bible Gateway interviewed Lisa Robertson (@lisanrobertson_) about her book, The Path of Life: Walking in the Loving Presence of God (Thomas Nelson, 2019).

Why is Psalm 16:11 special to you?

Lisa Robertson: In a wedding present, this verse was included with the card. The promise that God had a path for my life and that he would show it to me filled me with great excitement and confidence as I took my first steps as a new bride.

In what way does God have a unique path for each person and how does a person find it?

Lisa Robertson: God is our heavenly Father and he wants us to walk with him throughout our lives. Finding the path is simple: Ask God! I’m confident that he’ll lead us and help us take the first step and then the next. Because God loves us and leads us, if we make a mistake as we follow him, he’ll get us back on the path.

How should a person depend on the Bible to walk God’s path?

Lisa Robertson: The Bible is filled with many promises about paths. As we read, pray, and learn about the promises in the Bible, we’ll learn to depend on God to guide us every day. Go to Bible Gateway, type in the word “path,” and you’ll find over 100 uses of the word “path.”

What is the first step you recommend on the path of life?

Lisa Robertson: To me, the first step is to ask God to lead me, watch and see what happens, and then prayerfully take the next step. Don’t be afraid to make a mistake; you learn from mistakes and you’ll learn more about finding the right path.

What is the “surprising path”?

Lisa Robertson: The best example of the surprising path is when Moses crossed the Red sea on dry land. In my life, I think I know what should happen, but I always want to have what God wants for me and that’s usually a surprise. We know that God’s ways are higher than our ways and he sees what we can’t. I’ve been surprised by surprises on my path, and I don’t remember ever being disappointed by God’s surprises.

How does a person stray from God’s path of life and how does a person return to it?

Lisa Robertson: When I’ve strayed from God’s path, I often feel a pit in my stomach. I sense that I’m not where I need to be and I’ll only be happy when I’m following God’s way. The way to return is to realize or admit that you’re on the wrong path, ask God to lead you back to his path, and finally, you must do what you know you need to do—one simple step at a time. God won’t hide his path from us because he wants us to walk with him. But we do have to pay attention and look for it.

You write about the “parenting path.” Why is it wise to avoid both credit and blame for our children’s behavior?

Lisa Robertson: Taking the credit and the blame for parenting makes “us” too important. God gives our children to us, but he’s always their heavenly Father-and ours. He wants us to partner with him in our parenting and I learned that when I do, he’ll help me to succeed as a parent.

How do nature’s changing seasons help us understand and accept changing seasons in life?

Lisa Robertson: Ecclesiastes states-“To everything there is a season…” Seasons change and so do we. God created the changing seasons: as we observe them, we can prepare ourselves for the many changes in life; some will be good, others not so good. Changes in my life have helped me learn to trust God with every season of life and not to be afraid of the changes he brings.

What is a favorite Bible passage of yours and why?

Lisa Robertson: Psalm 16:11 is one of my favorites. I love the three promises of the path of life:

1. God has a path and will show it to me,
2. when I decide to stay close to the Lord, I experience the joy and strength of being with the Lord, and
3. our relationship with God promises us pleasures forever. Forever is a long time.

Another one is Psalm 46:10—“Be still and know that I am God….”

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App and Bible Audio App?

Lisa Robertson: I have used the resources of Bible Gateway for many years-even before it was an app. It makes it so much easier for me to locate and read scriptures- by the books of the Bible or by the themes of the Bible. It is the best resource for studying the Bible. Thank you so much for making it available to all of us.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Lisa Robertson: Thank you for all that you do to help millions of people learn about the Bible.

The Path of Life is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.

Bio: Lisa Robertson serves on the Virginia State Board of E3 (Elevate Early Education), was among the first board members of the Alpha USA Board, and is the founder of ChangingSeasons, an outreach ministry encouraging and inspiring women. Lisa and her husband, Tim, live in Virginia, and they have five children and ten grandchildren.

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