My disappointment at being rerouted from where I intended to go turned to excitement as I glimpsed the serene scene from my car. Though not as vast as the magnificent Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake—with its own alluring beauty, is a major contender as a travel destination. Like a child going to a candy store, I hastily frolicked across the parking lot, through the gate, and into the park fronting the lake. Awestruck at the picturesque site, I mindlessly trudged across the snow-blanketed ground. Thankfully, a kind stranger unhesitatingly offered some solid advice. “Follow the path where others have gone. That will keep you from sinking in waist deep like I did.”
Perceiving the uncertainty lying underneath my feet, I heeded the man’s instructions and trod with caution. I stepped into a variety of footsteps in the snow. Big steps. Small steps. Deep steps. Shallow steps. Then I followed the firmer, previously trodden path toward a picnic table. There was so much snow that the ground levelled with the tabletop, the height of which would have been the depth of my fall had I not listened to the stranger’s guidance.
My creaking footsteps roused memories of the uncertainty I experienced. My brother, who took care of our parents before Mommy died, got sick, preventing him from taking care of our dad. Using Jonah’s story, God impressed in my heart to tend to my father’s needs. The Jonah in me questioned, deliberated, and hesitated. It was a big step. A step into uncertainty. Do I even know how to take care of my dad? I have never been a twenty-four-seven caregiver, even with my own kids. I had daycare, a nanny, or a place I could drop them off for help while I worked full time. Taking care of Daddy meant moving him to our home and giving up my teaching job to stay with him. I wasn’t sure I was ready or knew exactly what this assignment entailed.
No doubt, you, too, may have experienced moments or seasons of uncertainty or are going through it right now. You may be in a new job or facing the quandary of how to help your children or are unsettled by the economy or our world’s direction. When uncertainty creeps in, fear, dread, and worry jump in as well.
The disciples must have felt the same way when Jesus invited them to follow Him. But they obeyed. Looking at Jesus’ invitation to them in Mark 1:17, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men,” we find that a promise ensues. When they follow Jesus, “He will…”
Similarly, when we follow Jesus, “He will…”
Like the variety of footsteps in the snow, Jesus may lead us to enormous tasks, minor tasks, simple tasks, or difficult, faith-stretching tasks. However, we can have peace and confidence knowing it is our Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God who will accomplish all things through us. Our job is to follow, then relax and enjoy the beauty of the scenery as He works all things together for our good.
Father, help me to follow where You lead me. Forgive me when I hesitate or procrastinate or when I doubt and fear. Keep my eyes focused on Your narrow but sure way. When uncertainty wrestles with my faith, remind me that when I walk where Jesus walked, my footing is a firm foundation, and I am standing on solid ground.