One of
my favorite places to visit in Jamaica is Ocho Rios, home of Dunn’s River
Falls—a spectacle that never ceases to amaze. Water cascades down a long series
of rocks as it makes its way to the Caribbean Sea. Adventurers can climb the
falls, scrambling over rounded rocks on an invigorating trek to the top. The
flowing water, the potentially slippery surface, and the steep angles make the
going slow and a bit treacherous.
To
make it safely to the top, climbers must watch every step. If a person is not
careful, he or she could fall on the journey. The keys to a successful climb
are concentration and caution.
I
can’t think of a better picture of what Paul is saying in Ephesians 5:15 when
he says, “walk circumspectly.” We should “be very careful . . . how [we] live”
(niv). Clearly, with all of life’s possible dangers coming our way as we climb
through life, it is vital that we take each step with Jesus wisely and
cautiously. A fool, the passage says, lives carelessly; a wise person watches
each step so he does not stumble or fall.
Our goal of being “imitators of God” (v.1) is met, Paul says, as we walk carefully in love (vv.2,15). Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can walk in a way that honors God.
As we trust God to rule our hearts our feet can walk His way. (RBC)
