He Shows the Way Forward

There in the solid black
of forested night
our wheels weaved through
gravelly rocky ridges
and pitted chasms.
We shoved ahead
through streaming mud,
glad for a Shepherd
who sees in the dark.

But then we braked,
hearts sinking in silence
when headlights hit a lake
--oops, not a normal lake,
a wide muddy puddle
slyly barring the way
while licking woodland
on both its shores,
hungrily lying in wait.

What to do? Was there
no way through the slush?
Should we just back up?
Then a buzzing light
zigzagged through brush
behind clustered trees
then zipped toward us
and a man emerged
riding motored wheels.
He stopped to see
this strange surprise:
white women stranded
beside the lake, confused.

“Where are you going?
There? Yes!” he said,
“Your goal, that village
lies straight ahead
and yes! I think
your vehicles
can make it there
just by following
this deviating detour
that we all take! 
It’s right behind me—
a route around 
this sinister space.
God be with you!”

Two wheels could flash
with simple ease
along the narrow path 
but our four wheels 
took the plunge in mud,
one-word prayers rising.
We dove into the dark,
bushes brazing our sides,
following faint outlines
of the one way out . . .
and there it was!

We left the brush
and up ahead we saw
fire lights! Relief!
There was the village!
We’d swerved and curved
on an unknown road 
with bated breath,
our hearts bowed low
before our faithful Guide
who sent his messenger
to show the hidden path,
the one way through!

That night in the West African wilderness, 15 years ago, a coworker and I were doing our best to get out to a village for a meeting. We felt courageous until we saw that flood of water over the road, consequence of a recent downpour. There was no way to get our car to swim across. Everywhere we looked we saw tall grass and trees. Ready to give up, crying out for wisdom, we were astounded when the motorcycle did not just keep on going past us. The man who stopped to see if we were all right, and who then gave us directions, was an answer to prayer! He was so kind that we trusted him and yes, we made it through!

That kind of dilemma takes various shapes in our lives. We think we know the way to plan our next steps when, suddenly, that “door” is closed. Our hearts cry out to our Guide, our Good Sheperd: “Which way should I turn? What is your plan?” We pray like the psalmist:

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long. (Ps. 25:4-5 NIV)

So how can we find out what the Guide is saying?

Our first resource is his truth, what is written for us in his Word. Are you reading it with serious intention? The Bible outlines essential truths that we must live out, and when we have a question about a path to take, we need to measure that path against them. For instance, which path coordinates with the greatest commandments? When Jesus was asked which commandment is the most important, he answered it clearly:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matt. 22:36 -40 NIV)

So first of all, is my choice of paths congruent with loving God with all that is in me, and loving a person or people he has placed in my life? The kind of love for others that Jesus was talking about was love that cared first of all for the well-being of the other person, not only my own (see John 15:12-17). Jesus applied it in a startling way:

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (Jn. 15:13 NIV)

Dying for someone else may indeed be a choice for some, but there are other more “mundane” applications. Am I willing to give up my control of my time for a service God puts in front of me, underlining that he made me for this? Am I paying attention to my spouse as I should? Am I upholding justice for those who are vulnerable in my community or country, even when there is pushback? Am I willing to lay aside my plans for personal prosperity in order to obey what God is specifically putting in front of me?

Each one of us needs to take these commands seriously and see how they apply to current circumstances. Then, if God’s path for my future involvement is a current dilemma, we must spend time in prayer, waiting quietly for our Lord to impress his plan on us. What gifts has he given me to use for him? What need is calling to my heart?

Tim and Kathy Keller give good counsel about discerning which possible courses of action are bad, good or best:

“How can we choose the right path? After getting advice from others, choose the best course in light of any relevant biblical texts, the opinion of authorities (in family, church and state), your conscience (James 4:17), an examination of your motives, the best use of your gifts and abilities in God’s service, and finally an assessment of your decision’s impact on others. Look at each factor and then choose well.”[1]

Our Lord does have purpose for you.

What leanings or holy desires has God put in your heart? Do they come to you while you are praying, or through the advice of a godly person who knows you? If you have not been in prayer or devoted contemplation, don’t jump to a conclusion without going back to that position, and talking to a trusted advisor. (For more insight about this process, see https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-do-i-find-gods-will-for-my-life )

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[1] Keller, Timothy with Kathy. God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life.(Viking, Penguin Random House LLC, 2017), p. 229.