Pioneers through the ages who have chosen to leave their country and place of birth have felt the separation from home, family, and their native land. They have chosen to step onto “unknown paths.”
Abraham in the Bible was asked to give up all he knew, and set out to a land which to him was unknown. God chose Abraham to be his servant. To do that God had Abraham who had previously been a worshiper of the Sun, leave the society of his friends and relatives, and go out of Ur of the Chaldees, and journey away to the land of Canaan, which be had promised afterwards to give him for an inheritance. (Gen 12:1)
What did he have to leave? He had to leave behind him those who were close to him, all the associations of his youth, the house and family in which he had been raised, all those whom he had known. If you have have ever had to part from those you love, you can sympathize somewhat with Abraham’s trial when he left home, family, and country to go into an unknown land.
When people emigrate, they know a little of the country in which they are to live. But Abraham knew nothing of the country to which he was about to move; he had simply God’s promise that it should be his inheritance. It was, it might be said, a wild goose chase, and many would no doubt have told Abraham it was madness and an idle dream.
But it’s in this place of being prepared to leave all behind, and step instead onto the unknown path that holds great blessing and intimacy with Jesus.
Jesus wants to lead. He wants us to let go of the reins and let him lead. Why? Because there is rest in that place. It’s no longer up to us where we go or what we do. We don’t negate responsibility for our decisions, but it’s in this place that our decisions become his decisions.
“Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path.” Psalm 27:11;
“The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.” (Isaiah 58:11)
See also: Psalm 139:9; Prov 3:5-6; John 10:3-5
Jesus calls us to follow Him. He is the Shepherd, and He has a perfect right to lead us wherever He pleases. We are not our own, we are bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:20)
Are you prepared today to allow Jesus to lead, even if it is on unknown paths? Is your prayer, “Do what you will Lord, yet will I trust in you.”
We all need to regularly check our hearts and lives. To honestly ask and answer the questions; Who is in control? Who is leading? Am I prepared to travel the unknown paths with Jesus, or do I only want to follow Him when it suits me and is within my comfort zone?
These are sometimes confronting and difficult questions to answer, but to grow and become all that we are created to be, we must!
Prayer: Lord help me to be honest with myself and you. Show me Holy Spirit where I am holding the control’s and not allowing you to lead me. Lead me where you will Lord, even if that means travelling on an unknown path. In Jesus Name Amen.