Recently, I was returning home from the office with my daughters. Our usual route was blocked due to road construction work, so I had to take another route. It appeared we were going back. Later on, the younger one burst out; “Daddy, where are we going? I’ve never passed this route before.” Even though I reconnected the normal route, it still looked strange to them. We finally got home, but I learnt a vital lesson.
Friend, God will often take you through unfamiliar paths. In a general sense, life is an unfamiliar path for every one of us. We must be able to say like David; “I am a stranger on the earth, hide not your commandment from me” (Psalms 119:19). It is those who think they know how to navigate life that end up lost or caught up in satanic traps (Psalms 17:4).
We are called to live by faith, not by guess-work (2 Corinthians 5:7). The journey of faith is often a journey into the unknown (Hebrews 11:8). But we must recognise that we are following the omniscient God. He knows tomorrow more than we know yesterday. What is an unfamiliar path to us is made bare before Him (Job 29:3, Psalms 36:9)
In your journey of faith and obedience, you need your ears more than your eyes. You need your faith more than your reasoning. What you hear from God must be stronger than what you see around (Matthew 14:28-31, 2 Timothy 1:12). My voice of assurance kept my children calm even in their seeming confusion. My presence in the car also kept them at peace (Psalms 46:1-10).
When God promised that His presence would go with us, He is talking about something we can bank on (Exodus 33:14, Hebrews 13:5-6). Sometimes, you would seem to go through the valley of the shadow of death. At this point, your expertise or intelligence may not count as much. It is the assurance of His presence that keeps you stay and steady (Psalms 23:4). His presence is truly priceless.
In your journey through unfamiliar paths, God will set people on your paths ordained to strategically guide you (Isaiah 30:20-21). The truth is, there is nothing that God is calling you to today that someone has not done; be it in business, career, ministry, or marriage (Hebrews 6:12). Your eyes only need to be opened to recognize your teachers.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria