March 1
Title: Guided Through the Unseen Paths
Verse: Deuteronomy 1:33 - "He went ahead of you on your journey. He was in the fire at night and in the cloud during the day. He found places for you to camp. He showed you the way you should go."
Reflection:
In my twenties, a buddy of mine, Ray Carr, and I set out for a camping adventure on South Manitou Island, nestled off the coast of Sleeping Bear Dunes in Lake Michigan. It was early fall, and the ferry to the island only ran on weekends. We journeyed from Ypsilanti, Michigan, the night before and braved a chilly night in the car near the ferry dock.
Our voyage to the island was smooth, and we were greeted by an unusually warm autumn day. Upon arrival, Ray and I made our way to the southern camping grounds, which were deserted due to the season. As far as we knew, it was just us and the Ranger on the island. We spent the day exploring, captivated by the island's beauty, and decided to catch the sunset over Wisconsin—a decision we'd come to question later.
As dusk fell, our return trek to the campsite turned into a challenge. The forest grew pitch black, reducing our visibility to mere inches. I could only follow Ray by the sound of his movements; any pause, and I'd bump into him. Eventually, we adapted to navigating without sight, relying on the texture underfoot to distinguish the path from the surrounding forest.
The journey back felt endless, a sensation amplified by our realization that we had missed a turn, inadvertently crossing the island. Determined, we retraced our steps to the missed junction, where a briefly lit piece of paper provided just enough light to find our way. Finally, we located our campsite, enjoyed a late meal, and called it a night.
The following morning, with plenty of time to catch the ferry, we leisurely packed up and headed to the dock. Along the way, Ray pointed out what he thought was our ferry, sailing in the opposite direction. "That can't be ours," I argued. But indeed, it was—marking the true beginning of our tale.
This experience, much like the Israelites guided by God through the cloud and the fire, reminds us of the unseen guidance that accompanies us in our life's journey. Our adventure serves as a metaphor for the faith journey we all embark upon. There are moments when the path seems clear and the journey effortless. Yet, at times, we find ourselves in the dark, unsure of our next steps. It is in these moments of uncertainty that the story of our trek resonates with the deeper truth of Deuteronomy 1:33. God's presence goes before us, guiding us through every dark valley and illuminating our path in ways we might not immediately perceive.
Prayer: O God of the journey, who guides us through the unseen and unknown, thank you for your constant presence that leads us through the dark and into the light. Help us to trust in your unseen guidance, especially when the path ahead is not clear. Strengthen our faith to follow you, even when we cannot see the way forward. In Jesus' name, Amen.