I Can’t See You! Where Are You?

I love walking with a companion! I especially love walking with a companion when the sun is shining on our path and we are engaging in open and heartfelt conversation. I don’t mind walking and talking if the sunshine is sometimes filtered through the trees casting shadows on the pathway ahead of us or if the way is a bit rocky. I just need to be able to see clearly where we are going. I don’t even mind walking with someone when the rain is coming down so long as there is light to see the way. However, I do NOT like walking in the dark, and I really don’t like walking in the dark alone! If there is very little or no light to see, I begin to panic! I slow down and begin to feel around me for anything to give me guidance or keep me from getting hurt by what I can’t see!

When Jesus came into my dark room and changed it to a place filled with light, He took me by the hand and we began to walk together again. I love walking with Him! “He walks with me and He talks with me and tells me I am His own.” (In The Garden)

In our life together, our conversations are sometimes filled with fun and enjoyable things. Sometimes we talk about matters that are not as pleasant, and at other times our exchanges are so very deep and even disturbing. Those topics are often about what lies in me that needs to change, but they are also about issues that surround my life, my family, my friends, my nation, and the world. Because He is walking with me during these talks, His light not only shines on the path ahead of us but also shows me His heart in these concerns. Sweet fellowship!

However, I am so human and have a bit of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). I am easily distracted by what I see around me, and sometimes I am not paying very close attention; I begin to slow my pace, and the distance between us increases. If that continues over any period of time at all, the light where I am gets dimmer and dimmer until I’m walking in near darkness again.

When darkness comes slowly, I sometimes don’t realize it has gotten darker because my eyes are slowly adjusting to the light level. When I do realize that it is getting dark and will admit I am walking in less of Jesus’ light, then comes that period of time when I don’t want to admit to Him or to myself that I’ve lost sight of Him. I may try on my own to hurry and catch up, but if I am far behind, I am not sure which way He went. I lose my way and at times get hurt as I stumble and even fall. At that point, because I feel ashamed for having lost track of Him, I may sit and cry because I’m scared and angry with myself for not paying closer attention.

In the dimness, my enemy is there whispering in my ear — “Face it, you’re a failure! You can’t keep up! He’s tired of coming back to get you! Give it up! You’re never gonna get it right! Never!”

Now, I can choose to stay there agreeing with the thoughts and feelings that are bombarding me, berating myself for falling behind, or feeling sorry for myself, and there have been numerous times when that is exactly what I have done, or I can choose to call out to Him! “Jesus, I’ve lost sight of You! Where are You? I need You!”

He has never failed to respond to my pleas for help! Not once! The truth is He has never left my side and never will; I have simply looked away from Him and begun to focus on other things. Those other things can be all the shadows and difficulties around me, but they can also include His blessings and provisions. Instead of remaining attentive to Him and what He is saying to me, my attention is pulled away.

I’m so very thankful that he knows me well and allows for my weaknesses and failings! His love has never failed me, and it never will!

Where are you right now? Are you walking in His light and in sweet friendship with Him? Can you clearly see His path before you or have you lost your way? If you are lost, alone, and in a dark place, call out to Jesus! He will hear you, and He will always respond! Just as the father, in the story Jesus told of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), was watching for his son to return, God is watching and waiting for you! Just as that father ran to embrace his son, God will run to embrace you!

Prayer

Jesus, I am lost! I cannot find my way. Please, let me see You; let me know You are here! I’m sorry for letting other things draw me away from You. Please, forgive me! I need Your love, mercy, and grace! I need YOU! Shine Your light in my life, and let me see Your way once again. Thank You! Amen.

Song of the Day

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.