Light The Way

Do you ever wonder where you are, how you got here, or where to go from here? I do. Some days...All. The. Time! I seem to have this internal curiosity that goes unfulfilled with the answers I come up with. While helping my sons to get ready for school this morning, I happened upon a bit of insight that I believe will help.

In the midst of lunch making, snow boots finding, and a bit of yelling, I shared a Bible verse with my boys. In sharing with them, I received a new revelation on this simple text. The verse:

Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

This verse has been a long time companion for me. I fondly recall knowing that this was my mom's "favorite verse" from the Bible. When I was a young boy, my dad created a wall plaque of this verse from a simple board and routed letters - he and I "made" it together! I remember this verse hanging by the front door of our home, most visible when going out into the world.

I've often thought of the verse and prayed that it's truth would be real in my life. I've thought of the verse's meaning and interpreted it to mean that God's word will show me where I am, and show me where I'm going.

This morning as I was reading to the boys and talking a bit about these concepts, a new light shone on this passage. It was a welcome insight to start the day.

Not only does God's word show us where we are in this life, his word reveals the path to travel on. There's a subtle difference here. The focus is no longer on where I am going. The focus is on where I am supposed to go!

An image came to my mind's eye. Picture midnight in a Narnian woods, or perhaps the spooky woods from the Wizard of Oz. I was alone in that dark wood, my lantern in hand, I could see a few feet out. I knew where I was at. The air was black, heavy, and a bit spooky. As I looked about for direction there was none to be found. I could not see anything beyond the light of my lamp and all signs of direction were gone.

As I pondered the verse, something began to appear in the woods of my mind. A path way extending from the edge of my lamp's light woven out into the darkened grove. Slowly the glow grew out before me and I became aware, not only of where I was, but where I was to go.

God's word is available to us to reveal our current condition, and to show us where to go.

I was encouraged by this simple adjustment. So often we wonder if we are focused where we're supposed to be. Are we headed in the right direction? Are we following Jesus in the way that he's called us to? We ask, "How do I know God's will and plan for my life?"

Today this little verse near the center of the Bible reminded me that we've been given a letter that answers our question. The path has already been illuminated. We need to intentionally see it.

Blessings to you in your quest!