Recently I had the opportunity to hike in Watkins Glen State Park, located in New York’s Finger Lakes region. It didn’t take long to see it was best to stay on the path. The 2 mile trail ran through a narrow gorge and boasted 19 waterfalls and over 800 stone steps. The trail led us within 4 feet of the river and peaked over 1,000 feet above it. There were multiple stone bridges, a spiral staircase encased in rock, steep towering cliffs, and natural and manmade trails. On our 2 hour hike through the gorge, we trusted the unique and helpful trail. It was perfectly designed for viewing incredible rock formations, experiencing beautiful waterfalls, and keeping all hikers safe (as long as we stayed on the trail).
God has a path for us to follow too. It is perfectly designed; we just need to trust him as we walk it out. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) We don’t have to fight the problems that come against us; God will gladly step in to help. When our days are difficult and we are standing between a rock and a hard place, he makes a way for us. “I myself will prepare your way, leveling mountains and hills. I will break down bronze gates and smash their iron bars.” (Isaiah 45: 2, GNT) God’s perfectly designed path is unique for each of us, where we can marvel at its beauty and experience delight along the way. “You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight. ” (Psalm 16:11, NET) Here’s the key: stay on the path.
Things to do today:
- Ask God for guidance as you move through your day.
- Read a similar blog called ‘God’s GPS’ and listen to songs ‘I Will Follow’ and ‘You Never Let Go.’
I recently went to 
On a recent trip to Maui, my friends and I decided to drive the famous Hana Highway. It’s a twisting, winding, and narrow road that crosses 46 bridges that are one lane wide. The road contains hundreds of hairpin curves. As you enter these ‘no-visibility’ bends in the road, you must blow your horn to warn oncoming traffic. There are mile-markers along the way, yet this famous highway is void of signs to alert tourists to Black Sand Beach, numerous flowing waterfalls, or bamboo hiking trails. Luckily, someone told us about buying a ‘Road to Hana Highway CD.’ This gave us an inside scoop on a perfect day: when to keep going, when to slow down, and when to stop and enjoy. Our experience that day was immeasurably better with guidance!
In the movie ‘Finding Nemo,’ there’s a funny scene where a group of fish are going to school. A few of the younger fish see a boat in the distance and wonder what it could be. One thinks he knows and says it’s called a butt. In the scene, they dare each other to swim out and touch it. (Don’t judge me, I didn’t write the movie). Since then, when I swim at a beach with my niece, we try to swim all the way out to the ‘butt’, (AKA the buoy). It’s not a simple feat. The distance to the buoy makes it difficult and the waves moving to shore are pushing against us. We press on and keep the buoy in sight, yelling encouragement to each other as we go. As we come close to it, it’s bobbing all over in the water, so it’s hard to touch. Finally successful, one of us yells, “I touched the butt!”
Early in the morning as I drive to work each day, I see someone walking their dog. It’s pitch black outside, and more than a little chilly that time of day, and yet someone is faithfully walking the family pet. The best part about seeing the pair is watching as the flashlight being carried carves a path of light in the darkness. Every step their feet, (and paws), takes is illuminated by one small flashlight. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)
It’s that time of year when many people are exploring corn mazes. The corn maze is a giant puzzle you walk in that leads you through loops, curves, and sometimes even to a dead end. You could get turned around, you might circle back to places you’ve already seen, or you may even get lost. Most mazes are open only during the day, but occasionally one will be open after dark and you are navigating by a flashlight or the moon, which just adds to the challenge. Corn mazes are designed for entertainment, but when life gets puzzling, it’s not fun.
Have you ever felt like you were in a maze and couldn’t find your way out? I felt that way as I drove to visit friends in Lafayette, Indiana. I came upon Huntington, a city filled with one-way signs, detours around closed bridges, and blocked-off streets. I caught on fast that I was in a labyrinth when the directions took me to the exact place I entered the city. A pedestrian tried to help but soon realized even he was challenged with giving directions because of the many diversions throughout the town. Just when I started wondering if he was about to say, “You can’t get there from here,” he came up with an unexpected plan. He suggested I follow him in his car through the maze of city streets and he’d point me in the right direction. His plan worked perfectly!