Some days sear into your memory without permission from your will or desire. Their eventual impact unbeknownst at the time somehow speaks its value to your heart for later: "Remember..this." And so, later... once God's wonderful and beautiful plans have begun to unfold before your eyes you are able to remember...where it all began. The moment He ufirst whispered. Your gut-wrench, human reaction that almost sealed the deal in itself, and then His fingerprints. They are illuminated in retrospect like a lantern-laced moonlit path. God's direction, His leadership in our lives as we turn our hearts to Him is a process. It's a flash of lightning followed by a slow misty sunrise. And then it's shining through, exposed like the midday sun to my eyes...clarity to a wondering heart, sight to blind eyes.
Several days in the last few months, even last few years have been seared into my soul. And now, what feels like miles down the road, I am standing looking down a lantern-laced, moon-lit path in one direction with miles ahead of me whose lanterns have not yet been lit. My comfort comes in knowing the Lord walks ahead of me. I do not walk alone and I do not walk in darkness. I do not step without His sure step feeling the ground before me.
And this is how I know that though my story may seem like foolishness in the eyes of the world, I can continue to step in confidence down this path, knowing the lanterns lit behind me. Knowing God's hand is around mine. And knowing that whatever lies ahead is ultimately not my concern but will be revealed at the proper time and is for the greatest glory.
There is relief there. There is comfort. There are sighs so deep the human race resounds. Because if this is all my true reality, then I don't have to worry about my wisdom being faulty, my sought advice being defective, my decision being wrong...because I am following these fingerprints and watching for the lamp to illuminate not the plans of my heart but the knowledge of the author of the universe. There is some heavy peace in that. Heavy enough to press out every other ounce of earthy material creeping around this messy soul. Pressing out the anxiety. Tearing through the pride. Eliminating the worries of this world.
Several days in the last few months, even last few years have been seared into my soul. And now, what feels like miles down the road, I am standing looking down a lantern-laced, moon-lit path in one direction with miles ahead of me whose lanterns have not yet been lit. My comfort comes in knowing the Lord walks ahead of me. I do not walk alone and I do not walk in darkness. I do not step without His sure step feeling the ground before me.
And this is how I know that though my story may seem like foolishness in the eyes of the world, I can continue to step in confidence down this path, knowing the lanterns lit behind me. Knowing God's hand is around mine. And knowing that whatever lies ahead is ultimately not my concern but will be revealed at the proper time and is for the greatest glory.
There is relief there. There is comfort. There are sighs so deep the human race resounds. Because if this is all my true reality, then I don't have to worry about my wisdom being faulty, my sought advice being defective, my decision being wrong...because I am following these fingerprints and watching for the lamp to illuminate not the plans of my heart but the knowledge of the author of the universe. There is some heavy peace in that. Heavy enough to press out every other ounce of earthy material creeping around this messy soul. Pressing out the anxiety. Tearing through the pride. Eliminating the worries of this world.
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