Core Scripture: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Message: I missed my walk last Sunday.  It was below zero, it had snowed, and I opted to stay home, getting in some extra quiet time, sipping on a warm coffee, my feet covered by a warm blanket. 

This Sunday, however, was different.  I found myself clicking the HC (hard commit) button on Slack, telling my F3 buddies that I was committed to joining them on their 5K walk around Heritage Park.  I couldn’t miss two weeks in a row!  I even conned my buddy Fury of the Nile to join me.

So, there we were.  Eight of us braved the cold.  The temperature gauge on my car read 20 degrees as I exited my vehicle.  A beautiful blanket of white snow covered the ground, but the roads, not to mention the trails, were clear and dry.  There was no reason to not partake in the enjoyment of the Lord’s creation.

We must have looked like a bunch of chimneys, our hot breath puffing smoke into the early morning sky.  We set off on a path toward the sun, not really knowing where we were going but enjoying the beauty of the morning.  As we came around a curve and the trees opened, a picturesque view of the moon painted the sky. 

Our conversations stopped.  We were breathless.  Our pace slowed as we all took in the scene.  Had we not taken that time to meditate on the moment, we would have missed the three white tailed deer walking peacefully through the snow. 

“I wonder why they call them white tailed?” Full Moon chided.

“Maybe it is because of their noses,” Huckleberry replied.

I was catching up with Fury of the Nile and Vana.  Not seeing them in two weeks left a lot to be covered, but when we reached the trail, I found myself next to an FNG.  That stands for Friendly New Guy.  The rest of the morning, John and I walked alongside each other.

The sun was rising.  It enlightened our path more as we trudged on.  The clouds, cascading into the horizon, hung still, allowing rays of light to burst through.  It was right out of a postcard.  Huckleberry snapped a picture (see above).  He told me later he has an entire folder of these pictures from our walks. 

And to think some would never see the beauty of the wintery morning.  It saddened me.

John and I hit it off just fine.  He and Huckleberry had met at a Christian men’s conference in Salina the weekend before.  I picked his brain about what made the experience life-giving for him, and slowly, methodically, the stories of our lives were exposed. 

We listened.  We probed each other with questions.  We revealed our hearts.  As the story of my last three years came to light, I could have allowed bitterness, anger, and frustration to highlight the tumultuous events that led me to a valley, but that didn’t seem right.  Instead, I focused on explaining how the Lord’s goodness led me through.

That perspective has sustained me.  I am not perfect by any means, and I admit that there are days I throw myself a pity party, wondering how long it will take to navigate this valley.  But my trust is building in Him.  My hope is rising.  Through these trials, my character is being sharpened.  All as I wait. 

“You know, hindsight is always 20/20,” I admitted.  “I have always been able to look back on my life and see how God is working.”

Our walk was ending.  John leaned in.  So much so that he accidentally bumped into my side. 

“John, this is the first time in my life I have been able to trust God in the middle of the storm.  He is up to something.  I don’t know what the heck He is doing, but He is moving behind the scenes.”

The presence of Jesus Christ was palpable as peace overwhelmed us.  I squinted into the sun.  It was now fully present.  It was known, and it warmed the sting of my wind-burned cheeks.  Huckleberry rounded the group up for his Circle of Trust moment, and the thoughts from his men’s retreat were profound.  I would be remiss if I did not share them here. 

WALK can be a powerful acronym.  First of all, be a WARRIOR.  Live and speak the truth.  Next, be an ALLY for someone.  If you see someone in need, step up!  Thirdly, step up as a LEADER.  All men can lead, and we must embrace it.  Finally, realize the need for a KING in your life.  Jesus is always Lord for the Christian. 

John then stepped into the middle of the circle of men to get his F3 nickname.  It is our way of indoctrinating the FNG into the group.  A knighting ceremony if you will.  John told the story of how his first date with his wife was at a place called the Lighthouse.  The name stuck.  Lighthouse it was. 

I allowed the thought to marinate.  A lighthouse guides ships to their destination through the blackness of the night.  Their light pierces the darkness.  It acts as a guide through potential hazards like jagged rocks surrounding land.  Not submitting to this help could be tragic.

Isn’t that what Jesus should be for us?  Helping us through the storms of life.  Navigating the choppy waters.  His presence lights our paths like a lamp to our feet.  Like a light to our path.  We may not see all the way down the road, but He always reveals our next steps. 

Jesus tells us, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  Find that light today and let it guide you. 

Challenge: What struggle are you going through?  Try to see the obstacle from a godly perspective.  Know that Jesus is with you every step of the way, illuminating your path. 

Bible study: Apply any of the following scripture to the theme above through journaling or discussion …

• “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
• “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Romans 5:3-5)
• “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11)

Song application: “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective

In my wrestling and in my doubts
In my failures You won’t walk out
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh
You are the peace in my troubled sea

In the silence, You won’t let go
In the questions, Your truth will hold
Your great love will lead me through
You are the peace in my troubled sea, oh oh
You are the peace in my troubled sea

My Lighthouse, my lighthouse
Shining in the darkness, I will follow You
My Lighthouse, my lighthouse (oh oh)
I will trust the promise,
You will carry me safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh)
Safe to shore

Just for fun: I have a confession to make.  This is kinda weird, but I will boldly state that I have an odd way of brushing my teeth on the mornings I go to work.  I do it in my car.  Right as I am leaving the driveway until the first stoplight I pass.  A good 45 seconds.  I spit out the window, sometimes spraying the side of my door.  And I don’t wash my white Toyota Camry much either, so if you look at my driver’s side door from the outside in, there are indeed some noticeable streaks along the side of my car.  I have never checked the pavement there at the intersection, but I probably should.  Considering I have done this for over a year, there is probably quite a pile of leftover toothpaste there, and depending on how long I end up working at Amazon, there very well could be a hole eroding through the concrete.  I wonder if the city cleanup crew—if there is such a thing—wonders why that puddle has been increasing in size slowly over the course of a year.  Well, the cat is out of the bag now!  If you need me to clean it up, I am game.  Just let me know.

Prayer: Lord, You are my light!  You illuminate all the darkness around me, and You never leave me.  Thank you so much for Your guidance.  I am nothing without You.  Amen.