We are on a journey, whether we realize it or not.  It began the moment we were born again, and it will not end until we reach heaven.  For some the journey is short, because they were saved late in life, or because God took them at an early age.  But for most of us the journey is a long one, spanning many years. 

    Since I was saved at the age of twelve, I have been on journey a long time.  But I was not really  aware of it until about 1975, when God began to lead me into new pathways.  That awareness sharpened and intensified in 1980 when God led Pat and me to leave the pastorate and begin a walk of faith into the unknown.  That’s when this verse began to take on new meaning.

    It not only speaks of a path, which suggests a journey, but also of darkness and difficulty, requiring a light.  This has certainly been our experience.  We committed ourselves to walk with God by faith wherever He leads.  But we discovered that is much easier said than done.  We have often been at a loss concerning where God is taking us.  We have talked and prayed, read books and articles, and sought others who might help us discern the way.  But the Word of God has been the final word for us, wherever the path has led.

    Although I never have really doubted my call to preach, John 15:16 has been a touchstone when the going has been hard.  I have gone back to that verse to find confirmation of my call, and to find encouragement in the promise that God is working out a plan which includes fruit that will last.

    When there have been dark days, such as the two summers when Pat had cancer, God’s Word has been an unfailing source of comfort.  Psalm 23 continues to speak a personal word and give personal light for the dark pathway.  John 14, Romans 8, I Corinthians 15, I Thessalonians 4, and other such passages have reminded us that this life is not all.  There is more, so much more.  And the best is yet to come.

    When we have tired in the long journey, we have found help in Isaiah 40:31 and the promise for those who wait upon the Lord   Not the one about mounting up with wings, although we have seen such days.  Nor the one about running without getting weary.  As the years go by, we run less and less, both physically and spiritually.  The part that helps us is the promise that we will walk and not faint.  Walking is just putting one foot in front of another, on and on and on.  That’s where we are most of the time.  Just walking.  And light from His Word leads us on.

    God’s Word is a wonderful treasure, which is personal in nature: Thy word...my feet...my path.  It is both the source of light (a lamp) and light itself.  It helps us to see where we are walking, by  giving light for our feet.  And it helps us to see where we are going, by showing us the path.

    We don’t know where that path will lead us in the next few months or years.  But we do know where it will end some day.  Until then, we thank God for His Word, which lead us in the way.