Wisdom Wednesday: Being Guided on the Wise Path through Life

 Dear Readers~

 Welcome to another “Wisdom Wednesday”; as I take a mental break for a few weeks and spend time reconnecting with family and friends after the pandemic, I have decided to pass the baton of “Wisdom Wednesday” to my dad for a couple of weeks. Though I will still have access to my computer and Facebook, I plan to limit my time on social media and spend more time reading.  I will be around and checking occasionally. Anyway, today’s “Wisdom Wednesday” focuses on the light to our path.

Without further ado, here’s my dad.

Being Guided on the Wise Path through Life

        Imagine, for a moment, just one of the concerns of this father of a disabled daughter. The bus driver dropped off Debbie at the bus stop, lowering the ramp to allow her to drive her wheelchair off the bus onto the sidewalk. It was only a block to her apartment, but she was very late, and it was getting dark and stormy. She had to rush, but that is very hard with a wheelchair guided by head controls. The more stressed or tense you get, the more difficult it is to guide the wheelchair with head motions. Finally, turning on her wheelchair headlights, she could see the sidewalk in the dark. She crossed the crosswalk safely and slowly crept along the sidewalk toward her apartment. Suddenly the approaching storm knocked out the streetlights, and the houses went dark. Her headlights allowed her to focus on the sidewalk in front of her to avoid cracks and holes, but she could not see the neighborhood – even to see as far as her destination and recognize her own apartment!  “Lord, please help me!” she prayed silently,  as she crept along in the dark. The windy storm front began rustling the trees. Just then, she saw a light up ahead! It was the flashlight of Julia, her friend in the apartment building, who called out, “Debbie, I’m coming; I’ll get you home!”

“Thank you, Lord, for sending Julia!”

        Like this imaginary story, we, too, walk or run through life with a relatively narrow view of the path ahead. Like distance runners in wilderness terrain at midnight, we run through life with a very dim flashlight. Moreover, life is a treacherous course that is littered with obstacles. We cannot see the destination and be assured we will arrive there safely. When we focus only on the things of this life alone, we ignore the larger view that God has provided to us in Scripture. God knows our path and destination; He alone can guide us safely.

The Psalmist understood the urgency of following God’s safe path, the need for God’s direction along that path, and the danger of evil paths (Psalm 119:32; 25; and 101-104,128, respectively).  How do we keep from destruction by the obstacles in the night that are outside of our view?

The Psalmist knew the answer: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Word of God provides the “lamp” right in front of our feet along the path to keep us from stumbling. It also provides the “light” that enables us to see the bigger picture and remain steady toward our destination. This is wisdom – fearing and allowing God to guide us on the path; Trust Him for He knows the way.

Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.  There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. (Proverbs 23:17-19)