Bible Reading: Isaiah 26:3-7
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
MAYBE YOU’VE DONE it in school or church youth group or someplace else. You put on a blindfold so that you can’t see where you’re going. Another person is assigned to you as a companion. It’s that person’s job to guide you safely away from dangers and get you where you want to go by giving directions such as these:
• “Turn left here.”
• “Go straight for about four steps, then turn right.”
• “Take hold of the railing and climb three—no, four steps.”
• “Watch your head.”
• “Step over the rattlesnake.”
• “Put your right foot in, put your right foot out, put your right foot in, and shake it all about.”
OK, OK, so the last one is part of the hokey pokey. But you get the idea. The key in that game (which is sometimes used in school to help you understand and sympathize with the problems faced by blind people) is to trust your guide and carefully follow his or her instructions. If you don’t follow your guide’s instructions, you’ll bump into walls, fall downstairs—and may even step on a rattlesnake (ouch!).
That’s pretty much the key to living the Christian life, too. God has given us some pretty clear instructions. He has shown us the right way to inherit eternal life and to live a life that’s pleasing to him and satisfying to us. The key is to obey the instructions God has given us.
Obeying God’s commands is like following the instructions of your companion in “the blindfold game.” You may choose to “do your own thing,” but you’ll probably end up with more than a few bumps, bruises, and rattlesnake bites. And worse.
But if you trust in the Lord with all your heart and let him direct your paths, he’ll guide you safely away from many dangers and get you where you want to go.
REFLECT: What kind of guide in “the blindfold game” do you think would be most helpful? Should it be someone you trust? Should it be someone who communicates well? Why or why not? Is God worthy of your trust? Has he given you clear instructions for obtaining eternal life and living a godly life? Have you been following his instructions?
ACT: Try playing a short round of “the blindfold game” with a friend this week. Take turns wearing the blindfold and acting as guide.
PRAY: “Dear God, I depend on you to guide me each day. Lead me in the way you would like me to go.”
