“I’m picking you up at 6:00” he said “Please be ready to leave as soon as I get there”. “Okay, I will” I said.
What was the rush? Should I have asked him where we were going?
He pulled up at 5:55, so I headed out the door. “You look lovely” he said having a delighted smile on his face. “Well, thank you sir” I said with a little bit of sass. “May I get in my chariot?!?” I asked. He laughed. He’s said “In a minute. I need you to put something on first” He pulled something out of his pocket. “Is that a blindfold?” I asked. “Yes, and there’s no negotiating, you’ve got to wear it” He said. “Fine. I’ll wear it”
Suddenly we were off, but I had no idea where. Why had He blindfolded me? At first, I was trying to figure out each street he took and what noises I heard. But when I lost track, I started to get tense. In fact, my whole body felt tense. The unknown made me anxious! “Relax, I know where we are going. Everything is ready” he said. I guess he could see I was as tense as I felt.
“Fine” I said. “Are you upset?” He asked. “Well, you told me to be ready at 6:00 and I was and I didn’t have much notice. You and I have been together a long time and I’ve tried to do everything you’ve asked. I just don’t get why you have to blindfold me. Don’t you trust me enough to see it?” I said with agitation in my voice. “Christi, there are some things I can tell you and others you simply have to wait for. Do you trust me to lead you where I want you to be? And where you will want to be” There was a long pause. I contemplated how this man had always looked out for me. He’s always protected me. He’d always made time for me. “Yes, I do” I finally said. “Okay, great so sit back and relax” he said with enthusiasm.
We must be close because it felt as if we were in a parking lot. He pulled up to a stop and parked. He said, “wait here a second” I contemplated taking off the blindfold and getting out of the car. In order to make this day how I wanted, but then I’d miss out on the surprise. And he said He was taking me to a place I wanted to be. So, I stayed inside the car.
My door opened and he said, “Are you ready? Give me your hand!” I lifted my hand up but I’d need him to grab it. He did and graciously maneuvered me out and made sure I didn’t bump my head. He said “Just keep holding my hand. Remember, I’ve got you. I can see the path”
He sounded so upbeat. I was struggling a bit, but I kept telling myself he’s trustworthy. I knew I could complain and grumble about the uneasy bumps in the path we were taking, or the ducking under things, or the large steps we’d take to get over things in our way, but when I talked I missed out on hearing the birds,or sensing the excitement in this man’s voice. He directed every step. “We have another big step to take over some rock ahead” or “You need to duck in a bit” but whenever we would go over, under or around things, he’d make sure I did not even get a scratch. He was so aware of how to get around each hurdle. He was such a good guide, I wondered how many people he had taken down this path.
Time seemed to stand still. I was wondering when we’d get there, but I wasn’t as worried anymore about being blindfolded. I was kind of lost in my thoughts when I heard, “we’re here!” He let go of my hand and walked behind me to take off the blindfold.
When the blindfold came off I saw the most beautiful sight in front of me, my heart stopped. It was so breathtaking. He had lead me into an opening in the forest outside our city. It was golden hour. There was beautiful lights hanging from the tree, a picnic blanket with picnic food. He went over, picked up his guitar and started singing. After he finished the song He said, “Come here and sit down” so I did. I couldn’t stop smiling. He said, “Was it worth it?” I could hardly speak the sight was gorgeous and he had been so gentle in getting me to the place I was now sitting and enjoying. “Yes, every minute of it”
A few thoughts:
This story came to mind and I realized this is something I know several of us have gone through.
God sometimes guides us into and out of situation. Sometimes the transition is short. We go straight from one into the other. Other times, the transition is slow. We experience a waiting period. In either case, we both need to be ready. When God calls us somewhere else, we often feels like we are walking through the forest blindfolded before we start seeing the answers we have been searching for.
Joseph experienced this. Joseph knew, through his dreams, that he would be more powerful and influential than his brothers. And there was no denying God had a call on his life. However, Joseph faced being sold into slavery, changing locations, cultures, language and familiarity. Then when things were getting better he was thrown in prison. He faced obstacles and I’m sure in the midst of it he asked God what was going on. But Joseph trusted God. If God called him, he wouldn’t leave Joseph.
Lately, I’ve felt like I’ve been blindfolded trying to figure out what’s next, but God didn’t ask me to figure that out. He asks me to trust Him. He is the one who created me. He is the one who brought my life into this world. He is the one who knows my thoughts even before I speak!
Although at times, I am not a fan of being blindfolded and lead. I know that is the safest place for me to be. God knows what He is doing and I’d hate to miss what He has planned by pulling my hand out of his!
So whatever your season may hold, keep holding God’s hand. He will guide you. He loves you and He has your best in mind!
Psalm 139:1-18
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughtsfrom afar.
You discern my going outand my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your
presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
