In this life, we can’t often see very far ahead. The future is a mystery, shrouded in clouds. It both beckons and mocks. We make our plans, but there is little over which we have any control. While it’s wise to plan, it is also prudent to remember few plans reach perfect fruition. The point of the planning is to become someone who can head in the proper direction and make necessary adjustments along the way.
In our finite and physical bodies, we simply can’t see very far up the road ahead. Still, planning is at the forefront of most of our minds and has spawned a lucrative industry to help guide us. But we don’t need to see so far ahead. We only need enough light for the next step.
The light we need for the next step is provided by God at precisely the moment it is needed. We only must be prepared to take the next step before the one after it is illuminated. With the Spirit of God dwelling in us, we have enough light. The light emanating from His presence is fueled by our faith in Him and our obedience to Him. Trust is key. When we trust fully in Christ, we will have enough light. We no longer will need the full picture. We only need to know where He wants us to place our next step. We have enough light for that. But we must take the step.
I’ll be honest. I’d prefer to know the destination before I embarked on the journey. Uncertainty is not the most comfortable for me. I Like planning for as many contingencies as possible and shedding light on as many potential problems as I can. If I had my way, I’d like to see my future lit up before me. That isn’t how we’ve been designed, however. God created each of us to glorify and obey Him, not to be omniscient.
Our job is not to ask for more light but to have the faith to walk in the light provided to us. Most of the time this means enough light for just the next step, just the next act of obedience. We’ve got to let go of our own desires and preferences and realize this is the system God has designed. We can accept it and serve Him, or we can rebel against it and go our own way. Good luck with that, by the way.
We have enough light to live our lives in service to our God, our Lord, and our King. We have enough light to see clearly where we should place our next step. Jesus takes care of the rest. The road ahead will not be smooth or easy. It will not be well-travelled. But it will be lit with enough light to lead us home, to lead us to our ultimate destination in the arms of Jesus. I don’t need anything more than that; I don’t want anything more. When we devote ourselves to the service of Christ, He will lead the way. He will guide us to the next step. And for that step, He will always provide enough light.