When You Don’t Know the Way, But You Go

On day one I find myself standing on the edge of a high cliff. The deep so vast below that I can’t see the bottom. The sun shining so brightly that nothing else is really noticeable. My eyes are open wide as I survey the great unknown ahead.

Truth is…I am terrified. Almost to the point of being frozen and not able to move. It’s scary not being able to see where my feet will land as I take a step forward. Not to mention the emotions and uneasiness associated with not knowing my destination either.

But I know that fear is not of my Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7 reads, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.”

I also know that he is with me in all times and all situations, even when I am unsure of the destination and details.

Deuteronomy 1:6 tells us, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified by them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.”

YHWH wants us to trust him and take his hand and follow him wherever he leads. And sometimes we follow without a clear or precise idea of where we are going or what it is supposed to look like. But that is the beauty of obedience.

We don’t always have to know all of the details. We just need to trust and obey.

Psalm 112:1 says, “Happy are those who fear the Lord. Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands.”

1 Peter 1:8 tells us, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

And so, I am being obedient to the voice and calling of the Lord, trusting Him with my every word and step in this new journey of my life.

A very good friend told me recently not to be overly concerned with knowing the why or the reasons behind God’s assignments, but instead to trust God completely, allowing the pathway to be illuminated with each step I take, one at a time.

Don’t rush things! But if you’re passionate and know you have a mission to fulfill, being patient can be challenging.

And to make things even more complicated, not having a firm grasp on what the mission is or what it looks like can be challenging as well.

But here I am. Sitting behind a keyboard putting letters together on paper, stringing random thoughts together, in hopes of bringing the joy of the Lord to others.

Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

From that one small scripture we can learn that it isn’t our responsibility to make ourselves joyful. Joy isn’t found in our worldly possessions, our bank accounts or careers, and certainly not in our circumstances.

True joy is found only in our heavenly Father, YHWH, and the intimate relationship we create with Him.

In John 15:9–10, we read, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

I retired from a 23-year career in dentistry as a treatment coordinator at the end of 2024. I have spent the last five months praying and talking with the Lord about what the next chapter of my life looks like.

I know that the pursuit of joy, found only in the Lord, is part of my mission. I am also acutely aware that part of my assignment is to focus on the love that our heavenly Father has for us and how I am to be filled to overflowing with that love so that I can then pour it out on others—ultimately leading others into intimate relationship with YHWH.

Leading others is a big task, one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Sometimes the leading is by example and by the way we move through the journey of our own life. People are always watching.

Do I do as I say? Am I living my life in such a way that makes my Heavenly Father say, “Good job, my daughter. I am proud of you”?

I think deep down inside of me, I really desire to please my ABBA Father. I long to hear His words of approval and adoration.

I didn’t hear those from my earthly father growing up and that has left a mark on my soul. As human beings, we all have a need and desire to be loved and adored. When that need goes unmet, empty places can develop within us.

Our Father longs for us to be filled with His love and Holy Spirit, as well as healed from all of the pain and hurt life has thrown at us.

When we seek to know YHWH as a loving Father who wants to be in intimate relationship with us, we begin to understand who we are. We are His chosen children, a royal priesthood, set apart for His great plans and purpose.

I am seeking to know YHWH in such a deep personal way - a way that I have never known or experienced. I want to understand just how much He loves me and all people so that I can make a positive impact on others and the Kingdom.

So, I aim for the high mark, trying my best to do and be good, giving my all in everything I do, to be the best version of me I can be every day.

Yes, some days are harder than others and some are more successful as well. But even when I fall short, I have true joy because my joy is found in Him - not in what I have done or failed to do.

His mercies are new every morning. Praise the Lord.

Keep seeking and loving others well.

Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

I love you all the oceans full.