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
