The word circumspectly means “to live carefully. Paul encourages us to live our lives as close to God as we can, to follow exactly and diligently the path that God directs us to walk.

We have multiple distracters that lure us from our relationship with God. We have many people who want to re-interpret the scriptures to make things easier or more fun. The truth is; however, following God on that straight path is not an easy task. Walking circumspectly, while all the world around you is laughing at you for being different, takes determination and a desire to remain in a relationship with Christ as your savior.

After crossing the Rubicon in 49 B.C. to face charges from the Roman Senate, Caesar established himself as a powerful warrior and leader. In his later years, Julius Caesar gained  more control over the Roman Republic and began to think of himself as a god, which might explain his joke to the seer that the prophecy did not come true. Little did he know that the entire senate had conspired against him.

So, do you, like Caesar, think that you are beyond anyone’s reach? The reality is that none of us have immunity. We all are susceptible to the same illnesses and tragedies. 

We need to make the most of every day, redeeming the time, by following closely after the heart of God. Today, determine to live your life seeking the heart of God in everything that you do.

(Editor’s note: King is the community chaplain at Fort Leonard Wood.)