Have you ever been forced to
play that game, while at school or on “team building” retreats
etc, where you are blindfolded and you have to trust a friend to lead
you safely, around the venue? I used to hate those games. . .
firstly, because I can be a bit of a control freak and I need to know
what is about to happen, so walking blindly around an unfamiliar
place leaves me dangerously close to a panic attack. And secondly
because when I am the one doing the leading these terrible thoughts
bombard me like, “ wouldn't it be funny to make them walk into
that big puddle of mud.” etc. Or sometimes I want to give them
false information, or suddenly yell out, “stop. Careful there is a
tree in front of you.” even though there is nothing there, just to
watch their reactions. Of course I would never be so cruel as to
actually act upon these thoughts but how can I trust that the ones
leading me, have the same self control?
So there it is for all to see, the ugly side of my nature. . . I am sure you are all grateful I haven’t had the privilege of leading you while you are blindfolded. . . but we all have a bit of these thoughts hidden in us, I think that is what makes it so difficult to trust God in leading us along His paths. He recently gave me a scripture from
Isaiah 42:16
“I will lead the blind
by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide
them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the
rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not
forsake them.”
This is the second, of 3
very specific scriptures God has given me recently on Him wanting to
show me a new direction for my life. Wanting me to trust Him to take
me along a safe path. At first this scripture really scared me, as I
said, I am a bit of a control freak and I want to know, in advance,
that we are going from point A to point B and that “xyz” will
happen en-route there. But this is not how God works because he wants
us to trust him, to listen to His voice and be lead by Him. I think
a part of me is scared, what if God has a touch of human nature? What
if he leaves me stranded in the dark? Or makes me walk through a big
mud puddle? But, of course, God is not like this. He is good and the
plans He has for me, are for my good.
So I take hold of His hand
and step into the path, blindly. The path is dark and uneven. But our
God is with us. In it all, He doesn’t change, he is Emanuel, our
God ALWAYS with us. This amazes me. Whether we are stranded in the
dark or walking in the fullness of day, seeing clearly, it doesn’t
change the fact that God, is, was and always will be God with us. He
will never forsake us.
But he promises something a
bit better. He promises to bring light to the dark path. To smooth
out our rough paths and make them even. WOW! So not only do we get
the best guide EVER, walking the path with us. The one who, Himself,
has carved out the path and knows every inch, and where its going.
But then He steps in and starts to open our eyes, shine His light and
even out the path. And even then, He is still right there, by our
side. This is cause to celebrate. This is our Hope, something to
gives us a confidence and settle our souls when we are doubting. I
am in a blessed moment in life, where God is starting to shine some
light on the paths He has been leading me down, amazing me with how
many paths He has woven in and around me to fulfil his specific
purposes. But yet a lot still remains uncertain. In those time, I cry
out to the one Who knows the beginning from the end, and lean on His
word and His goodness. I encourage you to do the same. Here are the
other two scriptures that God is really impressing on me at this
time. I hope they encourage you, as much as they have encouraged me.
Be Blessed. Keep leaning on our King.
Isaiah 48:17
This is what the Lord,
who saves you, the Holy One of Israel, says: “ I AM the Lord your
God, who teaches you to do what is good, and who leads you in the way
you should go.”
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and
teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my
loving eye on you.
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