Jesus Is All We Need: 10 Devotions to Experience the Rescuing Love of GodSample

We Need His Guiding Light

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. PSALM 119:105 ESV

As someone who spends a ton of time out in nature, I pride myself on being equipped with everything I need for the current situation. I've had the privilege of spending day after day alone in the backcountry of the Sierra Nevada, marveling at God's creation and listening to His voice in my heart.

That's why I couldn't believe it when a short day hike got me into a bunch of trouble. I was planning to do a simple, five-mile loop. The trail was well marked, and the weather was perfect, so I decided to leave my backpack in the truck. Halfway up the hill, I noticed the formerly wispy clouds were transforming into thunderheads. At the same time, I also noticed a sweet rock outcropping a quarter mile or so off the trail, so I decided to bushwhack toward it, hoping to get a view of the incoming storm.

I was almost to the outcrop when a hailstorm hit me. These were big-boy hailstones, and I started zigzag running for the nearest cover. Except I couldn't find any cover, so I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off until - you guessed it - I was completely lost. Lost and getting pelted by marble-sized hail!

After a solid hour of my cold, aimless wandering, the storm passed as the sun came out. And when I finally found my way back to the trail - through no skill of my own - I felt an amazing sense of relief and said a prayer of thanks.

Being lost stinks, doesn't it?

When we lose our sense of direction, we feel out of control. We can become disoriented so many ways in life: at work, in our family, in relationships, in our faith... and the list goes on. Sometimes, like me on my hike, we wander away from the trail on purpose. We may even have a good motivation. Other times we stray by accident. If we aren't too far off the path, we might be able to make our way back on our own. But when it's dark and stormy, or there are barriers in our way, getting back on track is impossible if we rely on our own strength.

Jesus will never abandon us in the unknown. John 1:1 declares that God's Word is Jesus: Jesus is the Word! Each time we call out to Him, His light will shine in our lives and guide us back to the path. Chances are, we'll find ourselves lost again in this life. Let's follow Jesus back to the path of righteousness.

Takeaway: When you find yourself lost, call out to Jesus, and let His light guide you.

Prayer: Jesus, let Your light guide me today, and when I wander or become lost, let it guide me back to You.