He Has Gone Before
There is a game we have played at camp that requires complete trust in another person in order to win. It is a competition that pits couples racing through an obstacle course. The challenge is that one of the two in each couple team is blindfolded and is instructed by the other which way to go.
Obviously, this is a difficult challenge. It is hard enough to walk while blindfolded and even more so to walk through a maze at the direction of another person while blindfolded. The one who can see must direct the other one who must, in turn, trust the instructions given.
The competition can lead to some very interesting and memorable results. Competitors run into each other. They stumble over the maze markers. They get off-course and have to be directed back. But, whichever one finishes first, not only rejoices over the victory, but also over having survived without major injury!
The lesson from such an activity is obvious. When you are not able to see the full course or pathway of life, it is difficult to accept that everything will be alright. However, when you accept that there is One who has already traveled ahead and conquered the course, you can rest assured in His directions and trust Him fully.
The biggest unknown in the pathway is death. Though we have great faith in heaven and the opportunity to be there, it is still a bit unnerving because it is a pathway we have never traveled before.
But, Jesus has eradicated the scariest part of death. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:9).
Much like the camp game, we are walking blindfolded as it concerns the life after this life. We need someone to be our eyes and direct us in the way that we need to go. And, we must trust that He will lead us properly.
It is said that trust is earned not given. The Lord has earned our trust. Everything He has ever said has come to fruition. He has been faithful in everything. Jesus’ coming into our realm of time adds to that earned trust. He has earned it; therefore we give it. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5).
