A Light to My Path
Driving through the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains early one Saturday morning, my attention was caught by a path on a hillside in the distance that was highlighted by the rising sun. The path appeared to glow in the morning dusk, creating a beautiful scene. I thought to myself how lovely it would be if our path in life was so clearly marked. It would be much easier if when we faced one of life’s crossroads, a strong flood light would shine onto the path we were supposed to take! Then we would see the path and away we would go in obedience and confidence! Easy! Except, in truth, it rarely happens this way.
Weeks later I read Proverbs 4:18 with my children around the breakfast table. “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Here was an exact description of the idyllic scene I had witnessed that morning! The writer of Proverbs used this picture to describe the way of the righteous, the people who believe in and follow God. The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn. Their path shines brightly. So, why is it that our path isn’t always so clear?
I believe there is a matter of perspective at work here. On my morning drive, I could see the path on the hillside so clearly marked by the early sunlight because I saw it from a distance. Perhaps, the path of the righteous shines clearly from a distance, too. Perhaps the way before us is not so obvious to us because we are on the path. But God has the advantage of His perspective, and I am sure He sees the path before us clearly.
Here, then, is the key! If we want clarity in the decisions of our life, if we want to know the way that we should take, then we need to stay close to God. From God’s perspective, our path IS clear. It DOES shine brightly before Him. Remember, to Him the very darkness is as light (Psalm 139:12).
One way to stay close to God and to find the clear path is through the words of scripture. God speaks through His Word, the Bible. Psalm 119:105 proclaims, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Time in God’s Word enlightens our spiritual eyes to see the way before us.
Time in His Presence also helps us to learn to hear His Voice. When God was calling the nation of Israel back to Himself in the book of Isaiah, He said to them, “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go (Isaiah 48:17).” He also said to them, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it (Isaiah 30:21).’”
God desires to direct and lead us as much as we desire His guidance. He wants us to succeed. He wants us to find the clear path He has put before us. Growing in relationship with God is key to receiving His wisdom and direction in our lives. Ultimately, time and energy invested in our relationship with God will serve us much better than time and energy spent worrying over whether we are making the right decisions or are headed in the right direction. As we grow in relationship with Him, learning to hear and trust His Voice, we will see the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
May the Light of God shine upon the paths of your life, Dear One!!
A Prayer
Dear Lord, I can’t always clearly see the path ahead of me, and this makes me nervous. Help me to remember that You know everything, from beginning to end. You are with me, to guide me, to help me, to watch over me — even when I don’t fully understand. I choose to put my trust in You and to let You direct my paths.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
