A Stumbler's Walk | GUIDE

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth... - John 16:13

Years ago I heard a sermon based on a concept called The Principle of the Path. The primary theme was that our direction determines our destination. Wrong direction is not a big deal two steps down the path. It becomes more of an ordeal 20 steps out… 200 steps… 2,000… and on.

Most of us would like to examine the path God has laid out for us. Frankly, we want to know God's will (for us) beforehand, but often just to see if it is something really desire. We would like to peer through time-enhanced binoculars down a straight, clean, obstacle free and neatly paved road that leads us to our hopes and dreams.

That is probably not going to happen.

God reveals his unique will for us as we take steps of commitment down the path. God doesn't reveal his plan for us as an option to be chosen. Instead we choose life in him and he leads from there. Commitment precedes clarity. And often the clarity is for just the next step. (At least I need to read that last sentence a few times. You?)

What Jesus does promise is that the Holy Spirit, whom he calls The Helper, will guide us in truth. In other words, he will give light to the path. Maybe more accurately, The Helper gives light to us, so we can walk the path. As Jesus said, he guides us in truth. The Psalmist writes, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," (Psalm 119:105). So the Spirit of Truth - another name for this Helper - illuminates the Truth of God's word, always leading us to the TRUTH, who is Jesus.

Your direction determines your destination. It is never too late to ask The Guide to direct you. Maybe you left the path many steps ago. It is OK. He knows the way.

The ancient Chinese proverb states the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step. In the same way, the destination of your life is determined by the direction of your steps. And the journey is not so much about your last step - whether it be a good one or bad. Nor is it about the next step. Your journey and mine is about this step. Take it! God promises to guide.

God, may your Holy Spirit be my guide.

For now...

D