Tag: Christian living

  • Trusting when you can’t see the way

    It was a dark and stormy night. I know that sounds clichéd, but  I’ve always wanted to write it, and it was indeed a night that was dark (no moon) and stormy (with pouring rain at times).

    We were on a night march during basic training with the Canadian Armed Forces. We had an objective to find some miles away, using only a compass. It was so dark and the bush so thick in places that we literally had to hold on to the belt of the man in front to stay together. Even from that distance, you couldn’t see the man in front of you at times.

    If the person in the lead stumbled over something, so did everyone else. It was a real challenge to stay together. We were exercising noise discipline, so not more than an odd whisper was allowed. There were a lot of muffled curses and groans. 

    If you got separated, there would be no finding the group again, and the squad was penalized, so we had to hold on tight no matter what. I came to understand that night the reality of the old cliché about the blind leading the blind.

    Not only was it a night march to test our orienteering skills under less-than-ideal conditions, but it was also a team-building exercise. There was nothing to be done but hold on tight to the man in front and trust the leader with the compass. That was hard at times because every step seemed like we had walked miles, and it was unfamiliar terrain, so we had no landmarks to guide us.

    Eventually, we came out within about 20 feet of our mark and within the prescribed time. We weren’t the first team, but we were far from the last. One team had to be found after daylight, and a few stragglers were rounded up.

    We’re called to trust God in much the same way as we had to trust the man in front of us.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

    Sometimes in our faith walk, we don’t know where God is leading, we don’t know how we’re going to get there and everything seems to press in around us. 

    He’s a much better guide than my teammates with the compass. God never fails to deliver on a promise. He has been faithful from before the beginning of time, and He’ll be faithful when time ceases to be.

    Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9

    Whatever you face today, trust in God to get you through it. 

    That’s not a cliché, it’s a promise.

    Until next time, put your trust in the one who always delivers.

    Kevin

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  • Changing Seasons – God’s Signposts

    autum leaves on ground

    It happened yesterday. Did you notice? 

    At 2:19 PM EDT, the sun crossed the equator, and the autumnal equinox occurred. From that moment, the days began to get shorter, a trend that continues until the vernal equinox in the Spring, when the trend reverses.

    The word “equinox” has its roots in Latin. In Latin, “aequs” means equal, and “nox” means night. For a brief moment, at least at the equator, the day and night share equal time.

    The equinox divides the year into two distinct parts. Our days are marked by hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as by the passage of time from dawn to morning, afternoon, evening, and night. Our month can be divided into days and weeks, and our year into months and seasons, marked by equinoxes—very sensible arrangements.

    We don’t like the autumnal equinox because it signals the shortening of days and the coming of the winter months. We much prefer the Spring with its fresh new growth and warmer weather, leading us into the lazy, hazy days of summer.

    The equinox always brings to mind a couple of Scripture passages.

    And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons,and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. Genesis 1:14-16

    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever… Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:1-9, 26

    The predictability of the changes, year in and year out, unchanging since time began, should give us pause to reflect and praise our creator.

    The God who loves us reveals Himself in His Word, but also in the wondrous nature of the creation itself. It’s no wonder Paul could write.

    For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Romans 1:18-20

    Next time you are pondering the shortening of the days, pause and give thanks that gives signposts that all can see.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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