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"And he dreamed there was a ladder set up on the earth, the top of it reaching to heaven; and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it."

Ladders, we all are faced with them, be it career ladders or social ladders. Do we climb up or down. Oh, to be faced with such a question. Not many want to climb down, for that usually denotes a failure at one level or another. Climbing up on the other hand cries achievement and success. There is another side to this dilemma however. To climb down means a reduction in responsibility while climbing up means an increase. Could be a good thing or a bad thing. Climbing down could allow you to regain that needed foundation, while climbing up too soon could spell disaster. When faced with the ladders of life, we tend to follow Yogi Berra's wisdom, "take it."

Hear the Good News, Jacob offers us an additional option. When faced with the ladders of life, Jacob watched, listened and learned. He saw what was going on, listened to What God had to say to him and then responded. He never really "climbed" this ladder, instead followed the call that God had placed on his life. Ladders, they can be distractions to what it is we really need to be doing. Instead of becoming distracted, why don't we remain focused to what it is that God wants and desires for and from us.

Gracious Father, visit me in my thoughts that I might hear and see what it is You want from me. Keep me "on fire" for this calling you have placed in my life. And as I approach the major decisions in my life, let my decision be one of understanding and not reaction, strengthen me from just "taking the fork in the road." Thank you Father, for all Amen.