Sharpened Together - Week 21

Key Scripture: 
Psalm 27:1
"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

In 2005 as a 22-year-old I went to Vanuatu for my church denomination’s Discipleship Development Program. About a dozen Australian young adults were sent out in ones and twos to a variety of Vanuatu’s many islands. I was sent alone to the island of Pentecost. To immerse ourselves, we were instructed not to speak English, but to rely entirely on the basic Bislama we’d learned beforehand. Our role wasn’t to go and ‘do’ mission; instead, our task was to be formed as followers of Jesus by learning from Vanuatu’s Christianity, assess its alignment to the New Testament church, and contrast that to Australian Christianity. I was incredibly challenged by their vibrant, community-centric expression of faith where food and possessions were held in common. They were never hurried and always had time for one another—a sharp contrast to the highly individualised Australian faith, which is often stifled by a hustle culture of financial anxiety, busyness, and restless discontent.

During my stay, my host village invited me to a join them at a wedding a few hours' walk away. We left around midday, climbing steeply through the jungle-covered mountains. Once there, we witnessed the ceremonial exchange of pigs and joined in a joyous afternoon feasting on local food and drinks. When it was time to return home it was completely dark and I was seriously unprepared. I had no idea how to find my way back through the dense jungle. The paths were dark, narrow, muddy and sloped steeply downwards, and I was constantly slipping in the thongs I’d chosen to wear.

Thankfully a village friend had a torch and shone it in front of me to light my steps. I reached out my hand behind me, and he held it to keep me from slipping over. He gently yet firmly spoke direction and encouragement not in his first language, but mine, saying “step strong” and “go slow”. Amidst my fear and dependency on my friend I suddenly felt deep within me that through this man’s care it was the Lord himself lighting my path, holding my hand, and directing my way with His strong and loving words.  

It’s been over 2 decades and almost half my lifetime since that night and yet it’s become foundational to how I experience and understand my relationship with God. On my own, I am unprepared for life (now and eternally) and seriously dependent on Him. I cannot light the steps ahead, only He can. I need to reach out my hand and be steadied and led by Him. I need to faithfully seek His loving, guiding and directing voice.

Scriptures are rich with examples of God’s promises to light the path before us (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 6:23, Isaiah 4:16), guide the way (Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 32:8, Isaiah 58:11), and lead with His voice (Isaiah 30:21, John 10:27, Psalm 23:2-3). Our role is simply to faithfully trust and surrender to Him. If we are willing, He can transform us and use us for His purposes.

How might God be calling you to be a vessel of His light, guidance, voice and love for others, and with whom? Through study, prayer and His church may we seek His Word in our lives; may we faithfully follow Him.

Reflection Question
Where in your life right now do you feel unprepared or "in the dark," and how can you reach out your hand to trust God's guidance today?

Action Question
Who is someone around you navigating a difficult path, and what is one practical way you can "shine a light" or offer encouragement to them this week?