This week we are in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7.

We recently enjoyed a few days of vacation time in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It was beautiful, and I highly recommend a visit.

While most of our time was spent eating too much and gazing at mountains (and in my case unsuccessfully trying to spot a bear), we did go on a five-mile round-trip hike to a scenic overlook. While this was a very well-manicured trail within a national park, it was not without some risk.

There were a few areas where the footing wasn’t perfect; and while it would’ve been unlikely, one could have lost the trail. We encountered a (tiny) snake and had to share the trail with a few (docile, plodding) horses and a fellow hiker’s (docile, plodding) Corgi. But the real danger was at the scenic overlook. We expected to stand on the top of a mountain with a breathtaking 360-degree view. Instead, what we found was a mostly wooded area with one of those old fire lookout towers. To get the breathtaking view, you had to ascend the tower, the railings of which were less substantial than I’d have liked. Fortunately, the photos I took do not show the white knuckles on my opposite hand clinging to the railing.

We should be careful when on a journey, and when talking to God.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2 HCSB)

I want to be clear that I don’t think this passage is telling us that God will tire of our prayers if they’re too long. In fact, Paul teaches us to pray without ceasing. I think the lesson here is that we should remember to Whom we are talking. We should draw near to God in obedience instead of convenience or habit and talk to Him with reverence. The idea that He would know us at all is humbling.

On our hike we had to be careful as we walked to the lookout, while climbing and standing on the lookout tower, and then again on the return trip. Regardless of where any of us are on our life journey, we should guard our steps.

Draw near to God in obedience. He is in heaven, and we are on earth.

By Mark Stuart

Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob (Bailey), and grandfather of Charley.