Inquisitive Adventures

Miles 1-2

Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV)

I woke up early. The night before, one of our dogs kept waking up. My Oura ring informed me that I was sleep-deprived. Regardless, I felt energized. I carried a determination I haven’t felt in a long time; adventure was calling, and I was listening.

When I made it to the park, I grabbed my backpack filled with all my supplies and my camera. There is something freeing about walking at your own pace. I decided to stop and take breaks as needed to give myself time to journal, pray, and sit quietly. I had printed a list of Scripture passages to read at each stop. I’m not sure what it is, but for me there is life in being alone with God and my thoughts.

A while ago, I had this random thought come to me. “Guide my steps.” It has continued to float in the back of my mind, aimlessly echoing. As I approached this journey, I made this the theme or banner for my hike. Another item I brought on this hike was a little oil lamp replica. It was given to me when I traveled to Israel after visiting Nazareth. I often keep it in a place where I can look at it. Perhaps this is why “Guide my steps” continues to find me.

As I continued walking, the steps were easy. It is not a difficult path, just long and bright from the sun. One of the reasons this is a favorite path for me is because when you get to the farther distances, it is very solitary. I decided that instead of rushing, I was going to practice noticing.

I came to my first stop. I sat on a small hill overlooking a golden field of yellow flowers. I pulled out the oil lamp and sat silently. I prayed, “Lord, guide my steps.” Then I reflected on Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (ESV)

In the midst of choosing this journey, I am in a transition period of my life. I have often felt stuck and kept at bay by life and the circumstances she placed me in, keeping me locked in this season far longer than I have wanted. A part of this journey for me was to seek guidance.

I closed my eyes and pictured what it would look like to walk this path at night carrying this small lamp. The darkness, crunching gravel under my feet, the rustling of flowers and grass in the wind. So often I think when we hear this passage, we interpret it to mean that God will light the entire way. I have had moments of wanting to experiment and light the lamp, but it is too precious to me. I don’t want to ruin it.

I’m quite certain that this lamp would only light the next step in front of me. When I picture life, I often think of a journey. I think we can become frozen by directions and callings. What happens if we choose the wrong direction or path? What if the answer isn’t an answer at all, but what we learn from the path we have taken? Maybe this is part of the journey of life: having faith and taking the next small step, seeking God in each step. We won’t always know if we’ve chosen perfectly, but we can trust that God is present, that He continues to guide us, and that He can work through the paths we have taken as we faithfully seek Him.