The Straight Way

I saw a "Mythbusters" episode during which Adam and Jamie put to test the theory it is impossible for people to walk in a straight line blindfolded.  It was comical to watch Adam and Jamie try walking, swimming, and even driving with their eyes covered.  Try as they might, they never remotely were able to travel in a straight line.  It wasn't long before they literally were walking in circles.  When the blacked out glasses or goggles came off, they were amazed how far they had veered off course.  Even when they constructed a device so they might work together to walk straight, they failed.  The "myth" was confirmed:  without the use of their eyes or ears, they were absolutely lost.

At the end of the program, Adam and Jamie walked through thick woods.  Without survival training, Adam was able to walk a fairly straight line.  Harnessing prior training and making use of the sun, Jamie stayed right on target.  Even with bucket on his head to simulate "white-out" conditions, Jamie remained on course.  The primary observation I made from watching these men trying to walk straight was how futile their attempts were when deprived of sight.  The ability to see made all the difference.  Spiritually the principle is true.  When a man is spiritually dead, he is also blind.  He remains without life and spiritual understanding.  Man could never find the way to heaven on his own, even if he did his very best.  We could not by accident hope to arrive at a heavenly destination.  Only through the Gospel can a man be born again and made to see.  Jesus is the One who came to open the eyes of the blind, set the captives free, and raise the dead through repentance and faith in Him.  God has given His Word as a compass, GPS, map, and survival manual all in one.  Unless we familiarise ourselves with the scripture and consult it often, we might as well be walking in circles in the dark.

Just like the sun is a critical tool for orienteering, so Christ is for us.  Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  When we look to Jesus, we are shown the Way.  Considering Him in all we do, even in the midst of trials and struggles, keeps us from weariness and discouragement.  We don't need to grope in the dark for God when He has clearly revealed Himself to us as the Light of the World.  His "will" is not some ambiguous notion only confirmed with signs and wonders:  we should not look to a fleece when we should look to Christ guided by the indwelling Spirit.

With eyes on the Son Jesus Christ, may we say with the psalmist in Psalm 143:8:  "Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You."  When we look into those eyes of love, we find hope, strength, and direction for every step of our lives.  Perfect knowledge of every step isn't as important as knowing the One who has ordered your steps.  Look unto Jesus, trust in Him, and you will know the Way.