Wander

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This is aimless meandering, without a definite objective or destination. The Israelites drifted for forty years in the desert because they were unfaithful to God’s purpose for them to go in and possess the Promised Land. Instead of the directives of God ruling their lives unbelief did, which resulted as disobedience to His will.

Generally humanity does not take the claims of Christ seriously or the responsibility to walk in close relationship with Him. Jesus spoke of a sheep that aimlessly wandered off and ultimately because lost, and “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way” (Isa 53:6; Lk 15:1-7). Our heart’s focus should be on Him and

Keep within hearing distance of the Shepherd

hearing His voice. “Guard your heart more than any treasure for it is the wellspring of life” (Prov 4:23). Am I focused on fulfilling the Lord’s call on my life or am I allowing other things to crowd this out?

No one intentionally drifts away from God, it just slowly happens as commitment to God is replaced by our own desires, the allurement of the world or the pressures of life yet our devotion to God should always be top priority (Mk 12:30). Satan wants us to be ineffective by diverting our spiritual eyes to anything else but Christ and His purposes. We deviate by not being focused and disciplined, especially in the area of our eyes and thoughts; consequently, we live ‘in the flesh’ without an intimate connection with the Spirit and following the directions of our Master. Thinking we know best, we are soon distracted by other things, depart from the truth and so get off the path. If the enthusiasm of our relationship with Christ has diminished, other interests compete for our attention.

It is a solid understanding of the Bible’s truths that gives stability (Eph 4:14). Regularly read and apply God’s manual for living to keep you ‘on track’. Having an overemphasis on getting wealth or too much spare time without being employed in a worthwhile project are other causes of being diverted from God’s ways (1 Tim 1:6, 5:10, 6:10). The Bible says watch each other and turn such people from the error of their ways, saving them from spiritual death (Gal 6:1; Jas 5:19,20). Be accountable to others as well as allowing them to speak into your life about your walk with God.