I recently sat gazing from my hotel window across from the Himalayas, desperately searching for the tallest of them, Everest. I sought information on which direction I should see it from and what to be looking for and discovered that it could be faintly seen, hiding behind three other peaks. With a description and the specific direction, along with perfectly clear conditions, I was able to see the tallest mountain in the world!
The next morning as I arose, I envisioned sipping my coffee, and watching the majesty of Mount Everest and the Himalayas. But much to my disappointment, the furthest I could see, was a few buildings beside my hotel. In fact, for the rest of my time in Nepal, Everest, and most of the mountains were obscured by smog, clouds, or smoke. But on that first morning, with my Bible and coffee in my hands I began to ponder over the verse I had just read.
“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 KJV
It made me reflect on those times in life where the direction isn’t clear. Sometimes it’s moments, sometimes it’s entire seasons. We want to follow God, but we aren’t even sure we are headed or looking in the right direction. The path ahead is too obscured to be able to have confidence in the steps much farther down the road maybe even the very next, but we know that behind the smog, the fog, and the clouds, God is there. But seeing Him would make the walk so much easier.
It’s in those moments, those of us who have become Christ followers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, can be confident that we are being led, even though we can’t see, by the prompting, the speaking of that Holy Spirit. It’s exactly why God gave us the Holy Spirit, to comfort and guide us by faith when sight fails us.
Isaiah reminds us that a “word” will be spoken and it will tell us, guide us where to walk, when to turn right, when to turn left. God has not abandoned us when it’s foggy and dim. He has given us verbal direction to call upon when we can’t see or see Him clearly. He has given us His roadmap so we can be confident in our steps. So whether in clear skies or dark, God has promised to guide us, that is His promise… but WE have to listen.
Dr. Ronald J. Barnes, Jr.
President/CEO
January 30, 2023
