Running Blind

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

A few months ago, I watched a movie entitled “If I had Wings” It’s based on a true story about a blind boy who loves to run and how he overcomes his physical limitations by running on his high school cross country team with a guide. I found it fascinating to think that anyone would run full speed through the woods without the ability to see. Imagine having no idea what you are running headlong into and trusting in another to keep you from stumbling.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

And yet, we should be living our spiritual lives in that manner. We have no idea what we will we face in this life, but we can trust that we have a guide who has walked through every temptation that we will ever face and conquered them with a perfect life. He is the Way showing us how to live and the only way to Heaven; our Teacher, teaching us all things. He is the Light of the World, shining light into our darkness and healing our blinded eyes. He is personal enough to know the secret places of our heart, to hear our innermost thoughts and prayers, and yet He remains the Lord of Glory and Lord of Lords. He is near to us in time of trouble, and yet remains the Heir of All Things. Sometimes the seeming dichotomy of who He is becomes more than our small human minds can understand. This Lord and Savior that we should serve with every ounce of our body, came as a gentle servant, and will one day personally wipe the tears from our eyes.

So, even though we can’t see what the future hold, we run. We can run headlong into whatever this world has to offer, as long as we run with our hand placed confidently on the shoulder of our guide. We can trust Him to lead us through this life. When we stay with our guide, He leads us through all of the rocky trails and pitfalls of this world with confidence, and though the going may be hard at times, we can trust Him to deliver us safely to the finish line.

For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; Psalm 116:8

How incredible is it to truly understand the confidence we can place in our Lord? To know that He will never leave us, never forsake us, that He will always hold onto us. To understand that He keeps us in perfect peace, that He establishes us and guards us, He sustains us, He strengthens us, supplies all our needs. When we consider the fact that we can trust Him and be unafraid, regardless of the pitfalls and obstacles in our journey, how can we not run this race with joy? Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

Friends, we have the ultimate running partner. All we have to do is reach out and trust Him to lead us home. Leaning on His power and knowledge of how to navigate the trials we face takes the burden of this life off our shoulders. He is ready and willing to do the navigating when we look to Him for directions with every step. We can run with abandon, trusting Him to supply everything we need to overcome the whole world. Trust Him today, for our salvation from sin and its consequences, yes, but also for a life more abundant that anything we could ever imagine!

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31