Through the Eyes of Hope - 7 Days of HopeSample

Faith Without Sight

"I've learned that I don't have to see in order to trust Him. I only need to walk."

We needed Christian to learn that holding his head up was a positive thing. To achieve this, the therapist positioned him at the top of an angled pillow, his head at the peak, belly on the mat, and feet on the floor. At first he rested his chin on the mat, until he heard a rattling sound.

The therapist sat cross-legged a couple feet in front of Christian and shook a toy. Shake, shake. Then a different noisemaker. Rattle, rattle. Squeak, squeak. The noise signaled that there was something in front of him, something fun by the sound of it. He instinctively reached toward the sound, inadvertently lifting his head. We cheered, and Christian's face lit up.

He'd rest his head again, and instantly the noise returned. He stretched his little arm out, again lifting his head. We clapped and praised him. Eventually he could lie on his tummy on the floor with the toy placed out of his reach. He quickly caught on that we loved his head being off the ground, and he grinned as we applauded for him every time.

Watching Christian learn to walk taught me a lot about taking steps of faith in darkness when I can't see where God is directing me. My son trusts me to lead him safely, even though he can't see where each step will take him. In the same way, how much more will my Father lead me where I need to go?

God promises to lead the blind by ways they have not known and to make dark places light. I don't have to have all the answers. I don't have to know what God is doing. All I have to do is take God's hands and let Him guide me, just as Christian holds my fingers as I guide him safely. The biggest lesson is that I don't have to see in order to trust Him. I only need to walk.

Can you trust God to lead you through the darkness?

How can you look for God in the small things?

Questions for Reflection:

• What areas of your life feel like you're walking through darkness right now?
• Has God proven He's good in other instances of darkness in your life? If so, what lessons from those dark times remind you that you can still trust Him now?
• What encouragement does John 8:12 provide?