The Path

The blank page can be both terrifying and exhilarating. Terrifying because filling it may be presumptuous, and exhilarating because the finished work may end up being a discovery more than the sum of its parts. I often feel that writing is like an extreme sport, fraught with danger yet also full of the hope of victory. Overcoming fear and trepidation becomes part of the process. Though debilitating nerves are frequently experienced at the beginning, there is a certain reward that comes with the persistent effort to press through to expression and discovery. Sometimes simply beginning to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can dispel the fog of uncertainty, and light begins to dawn on the possibilities.

While your day may look like a page already scribbled on, the light of His Word and His countenance dispels the chaos of darkness. His mercy is new every day. If you are fortunate to have a blank page, His presence and His mercy dawns upon the destiny of His promise. Adventure awaits.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV) Here, the psalmist portrays the Word of God as being necessary for stumble-free walking. God’s Word is central to how we place our feet and what direction we are taking. As followers of Christ, we are not ambling through life. We are chasing after the very heart of God. And that, dear one, requires faith. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV) When we spend time in the Word of God, we condition our ears to hear and our hearts to believe. “And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21 ESV)

Running the race set before us is, in fact, arduous. You will get hot, sweaty, sore and tired. But, thanks be to God, there is light on the path, and you know the way. In this race, running IS winning. And you are not alone. Those in the community of faith are cheering, encouraging, there to give you a hand and offer soothing comfort to your blisters. Indeed, we minister to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs because the Word of God dwells richly within us. (Colossians 3:16)

Father, give us ears to hear and hearts to believe. We believe that You exist and that You reward those who diligently seek You. (Hebrews 11:16) You are other than we are, holy and righteous, and yet You have given Your Son, and He has made a way for us to stand in your presence. How great is Your love for us! Teach us to love one another, and cause us to shine, even as Your face shines upon us, so that we may truly bear witness to Your glory and grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Until next week, beloved, stay in the Word and keep your feet on the path.