The Guide

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

I was walking through the living room with a load of laundry the other night and paused to see a hunting show Dave was watching.  A small group of men were following a guide through brush and up inclines and through tall grass in pursuit of some kind of wild game.  The guide led the way whacking out a path with a machete.  All along the way the guide was pointing out the dangers and beauty of the trip and it really made me stop and think.  The men following the guide had no idea where they were or where they were headed.  They were unfamiliar with the path and had only a mental vision of the destination.  They were fully dependent on the guide to lead them to the bounty or prize of the day.

I couldn’t get that show out of my mind for several days.  All I could keep thinking about was how dreadful the whole adventure seemed to me.  As the guide pointed out snakes and bee hives the size of Volkswagens and loose gravel near cliff edges I know for certain I would have turned around within the first few hundred yards and gone back to the camp to drink coffee. 

On my next pass through the living room I noticed that the guide had indeed led the hunters to a beautiful clearing with a breathtaking view and exactly the game they had been in search of.  After an adventurous hike filled with peaks, valleys, danger, delight and blind faith, they got exactly what they  were hoping for.  I walked out of the living thinking there was probably a lesson.

I have been blessed to share a rough journey with a few friends this summer.  Each of these beautiful, strong women has faced fierce battles of different kinds.  I’ve laughed, cried and prayed with and for these friends as they picked themselves up and trudged on after each setback.  I’ve been inspired by their courage and faith and then it dawned on me; their lives were a little like the hunting show Dave was watching.  Isn’t life like that sometimes; tough, dangerous and tricky to maneuver.  The wrong turn can lead to more difficulty and forging  off in an unknown direction without a guide would certainly not end well.

God is an awful lot like that hunting guide.  He’s always ahead clearing a path and offering direction and warning.  Even in the thick of it all, the only thing he asks is that we stay close and follow his lead so he can guide and protect us on our way to a destination far more beautiful than we could ever imagine.  Just like the guide on the TV show, nobody was forced to follow but it sure made sense to do so.  I had to ask myself what kind of follower I am. As I think back on that show, I see so many places in my life where I felt like I was stuck in thick brush and he led me through it every time and led me to a place greater than I had imagined.  I suppose the next time I get stuck I’ll remember this image of God as my guide and trust and follow a little more easily.

A Seed To Plant:  Are there some adventures going on in your life that you need to invite God to lead you through?​

Blessings on your day!