Getting Started

Good Morning, I am here this morning with my second cup of coffee.  The rest of the household, including the dogs, remains asleep.  I knew, even from as early as last evening sometime, Holy Spirit desires to write something with me this morning.  When I awoke I meandered through my early morning routine and had that first cup with a bit of breakfast.  I knew it was time to sit with Him and write for you.  But first I wanted to organize my desk a bit; then I had a great idea for a shop project and began to sketch some designs; and then . . . . et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

As I paused to comb my hair Holy Spirit gently nudged me and said, “I really want to write with you this morning.” 

My response was a bit of a shrug with, “I know but I do not know where to start.”

That was when He reminded me of a song we sang many years ago.  The line of the song came directly from the King James version of Psalm 119, verse 105, the more modern translation with the same meaning is:  Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Almost immediately I began to make new covenant connections:  Jesus is the Word; Jesus is the Way (path); Jesus is the Light; We, the followers of Jesus, are the light of the World.  But, even as I saw these connections, I still could not see what Holy Spirit wanted us to write for you.

It was then He helped me remember my days as a young boy scout and the training I received.  If two scouts are hiking in the woods at night, when they come to a place where they need to turn on a light to see where to safely put their feet, it is the scout in back who turns on his light, not the one in front.  In that way they can both see the path.  If the one in front lights the light, the second scout is left in darkness.  But, the second man’s light will shine around the first and both will safely see where to step.

Holy Spirit wanted me to start forward stepping in the light He was shining around me.  But, if I did not step forward in the little bit of light I had, He also would not move forward to light the next step.  On this occasion He did not desire to show me the destination at the beginning.  He desired for me to trust Him for the destination and walk in His light one step at a time.

I have pondered this as I type.  I am realizing how often in life I have been in similar circumstances.  I know that the long-term destination may be clearly visible like a city set upon a hill.  However, many portions of the path are only safe to travel in the light of one step at a time.

When we were scouts, we always had the more mature experienced scout follow the young tenderfoot.  We wanted the light in the hands of someone reliable and wise in the ways of the trail.  As you walk through this treacherous World filled with demons and people who are willing to deceive you, be sure the one watching over you actually has the Light to enlighten your path and the strength to reach out and help you if you should stumble toward the edge of the cliff.

When you are getting started on an unfamiliar path, {whether it be writing a book, or changing the way you eat, or changing the way you treat your spouse, or designing a new arrangement for your furniture} start by taking the one simple step you can see in the light you have. Then, look for the next step. He will continually be the Word who is a lamp for your feet. Step boldly in His light.

His, thus Yours,

Stuart