Ditch

There is an old saying about driving that I am sure you have heard at some point in your life: "Keep it between the ditches." Sounds easy enough. Although, as the we go further in life and it starts to pick up speed, you can easily find yourself headed straight for the ditch. I have learned that life is a constant adventure in real time course correction. On both sides of the road, I can see the deep ditches that Jesus spoke into our pursuit of manhood when He said, "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?" ~Luke 6:39 ESV 

There isn't a man alive that can escape this simple truth: Every single man alive is under some sort of influence. The question I believe we all have to ask ourselves is this, "What or who, is doing the influencing?"

Take a moment and allow that to sink in. 

What is influencing your life and your decisions? Who is influencing what you do or how you react? 

No man has ever been able to escape the powers or forces of his relationships. Every one of us is tied at the heart to the influence of those we allow into our lane of travel. And even though you know that Jesus is your ultimate guide, don't be naive enough to think that He is the only one influencing you. It is all too easy and way too dangerous to piously reject the notion that you are vulnerable to being swayed. Every man is subject to temptation and God will allow it to happen. 

You have people travelling with you (your wife, your kids). Some you have invited on this trip, and others are there by simple sovereign  connection in the marketplace of commerce and community (people you work with, folks at your church, your customers). Honestly, it really doesn't matter how they got there because now they are in the thick of it with you. Watch and be sure that you are not allowing yourself to be guided by those who are themselves blinded to the truth of Jesus Christ.