In the East Taihang Mountains Area, China, there is a glass bridge that is suspended 1180 meters, or 3,871 feet, above a valley and 266 meters, or 873 feet, long. When you walk across, it simulates cracking complete with the noises and seeming splitting floor. Some visitors can be seen scampering away or dropping to their knees thinking they were about to lose their footing. Soon they realize it is part of the masterful trickery of the designers.

Like those visitors we want to trust that our path is sound. It may be our path to health, wealth, or restoration, in any area of life. But how have we verified our steps are secured? Where does our trust lie anyway?

In Matthew 14, Jesus’ disciples were in a boat on a lake that was being bombarded by waves because of heavy winds (verse 24). Jesus walked on the water toward the disciples and even had Peter walk on the water too (verses 25, 29). But it was after Jesus and Peter got in the boat that the winds subsided (verse 31). Jesus may not necessarily take you out of your windy challenge but can grant you the capacity to go through it.

With trust in and focus on Jesus, Peter made it through the stormy winds without sinking. Jesus’ word to Peter, “Come”, enabled Peter to walk with secure footing on water (verse 29) which is not meant for walking on. Said another way, with properly placed trust, focus and faith, in Jesus, you can do what seems impossible.

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will advise you with my eye on you.

(NASB, Psalm 32:8)

A lot of times we are distressed and depressed because we’re trying to do God’s job. We need to remember that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. Years ago, I was constantly annoyed because I didn’t like how people were treating me and I wanted to get back at them. Apart from not walking in the self-confidence God gave me and using the brain he blessed me with, I wasn’t realizing that I didn’t need to try to get back at anyone – that was His job. My job was to trust, love and seek Him first. When I released control to God, I noticed that in every situation, the offender was taken care of – without my input.

We are also distressed and depressed because we are expecting God to do our job. We need to walk in faith because without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). He would not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). Believe in yourself. Act with courage and boldness because He has not given us a spirit of fear.

In Numbers 20, the story is told of how Moses and Aaron who were God’s servants, dealt with the frustration of hearing the people complain about their situation. They were saying that they should have died like their brothers before them (verse 3). Also, God’s servants brought them from Egypt, where things were better, into the wilderness, a miserable place, to die because there was no food or water (verses 4 and 5).

Moses and Aaron left the people, went to a separate tent, and fell on their faces to God in desperate prayer. God answered telling them to take the staff, gather the people and speak to the rock in front of them; this will cause water to flow (verse 8). However, in anger Moses hit the rock twice. Water still flowed from it abundantly. But because Moses did not trust God’s method and treat Him as holy in front of the people, he did not get to lead them into the fertile land that God promised (verse 12).

You may be going about life according to your truth or without God’s direction and may think you are getting by. But just imagine how much further you can be if you chose to do things His way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

(NASB, Proverbs 3:5-6)

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is the chorus and first verse of Blessed Assurance which was written by Fanny Crosby who was born in 1820. When she was two months old she had an eye infection which was treated inappropriately. This resulted in her being mostly blind for life. When she was a baby, her father died and because her mom had to work as a maid she was raised by her grandmother.

Fanny’s grandmother read her scriptures while she was growing up and she began to memorize them. In 1850 she gave her life to Christ. Then in 1873 she wrote Blessed Assurance as words to a tune that Phoebe Knapp, a popular hymnist, and composer then, shared with her. During her life Fanny wrote over 9000 hymns.

What is your story thus far? What chapter are you on now? How do you want it to end? Do you like how the next chapter may turn out? If not, you control the pen.

The Lord is my strength and song,

And he has become my salvation;

He is my God, and I will praise him;

My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

(NKJV, Exodus 15:2)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

NIV Psalm 32:8

Bethany Hamilton started surfing when she was a child and at eight entered the Rell Sun Menehune event on Oahu.  She won both the short and long board divisions. But at thirteen while out catching some waves with her friends in Kauai, Hawaii, she was attacked by a 14-foot tiger shark and lost her left arm.  Bethany was bleeding profusely as her friends rushed her out of the water and called 911.  Paramedics sped to her rescue and intercepted them on their way to the hospital.  At the medical center she underwent emergency surgery and fortunately survived even though she lost over 60% of blood.  Interestingly, one of the first things she asked afterward was, “When can I surf again?” 

Bethany was a Christian yet struggled to understand how that incident could be part of God’s plan for her.  She needed to find a new purpose after seemingly not being able to surf again, and she did.  While on a mission’s trip to Thailand with her church she was moved by the ravages of a tsunami disaster.  She was able to encourage a community of people to find their spirit again.  Back in Hawaii she took up surfing again and went on to become a professional and a champion.

You may be wondering what God’s will for your life is.  You may have suffered an unexplainable loss, you are at a crossroad or just want to be more effective for God.  The key is to listen.  Do you have the faith in God required to believe that He will see you through?  You may think you have an insignificant amount of faith.  However, God can work with even a little faith.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

NIV, Matthew 17:20

He has a purpose for your life, and it is imperative that you keep an open heart as you search to find it.  Your passion is not necessarily what you are paid to do but is certainly what you are made to do. Even if you talk with others for guidance, make sure you consistently seek God for His will for your life.  As the Psalmist said, He can instruct, teach, and counsel.

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Let Him Guide

by Jonathan O’Neil

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The Psalmist said the Lord was His shepherd

For without Him, he would stray and be conquered

But with God, he benefits in multiple ways

He will have food, water, and the right pathways,

Confidence even when there is danger

To blessings among haters, you would not be a stranger

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Start with faith, believing He has the ultimate plan

Even with mustard seed size, mountains await your command

He wants to be who you need and provide what you need

Trust Him as your source, He is a friend indeed