Embracing Guidance on Life’s Challenging Trails
As I navigated the rugged southwest coast of Vancouver Island with my almost three-year-old grandson by my side, I was reminded of the importance of surrendering to guidance. The 8-kilometer hike was a mix of easy and difficult stretches, with one section being particularly treacherous. Despite my best efforts to coach him, my little companion was determined to walk on his own, repeating “My do it!” whenever I tried to intervene.
The Dangers of Self-Reliance
As we walked, I realized that my grandson’s determination to do things his way was not only adorable but also precarious. His lack of understanding of the dangers around him made it essential for me to be vigilant and step in when necessary. At one point, he slipped and found himself hanging over the ocean, holding onto a tree root for dear life. I swiftly lifted him to safety, and he nonchalantly thanked me, unaware of the peril he had just faced.
A Humbling Realization
This experience struck a chord within me. Just as my grandson needed guidance and protection on that challenging trail, so do we as humans need direction and oversight in our lives. We are like toddlers, limited in our strength, knowledge, and wisdom compared to God. When we insist on doing things our way, we risk missing out on God’s guidance and provision.
Invitation to Journey with God
We are not forced to rely on God, but we are invited to walk with Him. However, when we choose to go it alone, we open ourselves up to potential dangers and pitfalls. As I reflected on my own life, I realized that there are areas where I, too, often say “My do it!” – areas where I need to surrender to God’s guidance and wisdom.
A Prayer for Guidance
The psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 has become a powerful reminder for me to move from self-reliance to God-dependence: “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong, then guide me on the road to eternal life.” This prayer has helped me to acknowledge my limitations and invite God to lead me on the path to eternal life.
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