We all Need a Guide

“I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.” Isaiah 42:16 BSB

In a story titled “Visually impaired runner, sighted guide prepare for third Boston Marathon together” published Tuesday, it was reported that Kyle Robidoux, a visually impaired runner, and Taylor Slesinski, his sighted guide, are preparing to run the Boston Marathon together for the third time. The duo trains together, with Slesinski acting as Robidoux's eyes to navigate the course and congested field using a tether. “Particularly in Boston being so crowded the first six miles," said Robidoux. Slesinski added, "Boston has a lot of cracks in their sidewalk and lot of potholes on the roads, so just being aware of them, especially not only for myself but for him, calling it out in time." Robidoux works with Slesinski and a team of other guides year-round.

And you know, when it comes to the need for someone to show us the way to the finish line, we would all do well to consider ourselves not just visually impaired but “blind,” in that we can’t see the future, much less the cracks and potholes we might face along our journey that might cause us to trip or fall. Which is the very reason that we should rejoice that we have a ‘sighted’ Guide who has promised to shepherd and direct us on these “unfamiliar paths,” to turn our darkness into light, and to make our rough places level. “These things,” the Lord said, “I will do for them and I will not forsake them.” Do you just love that or what?

So if you’re anxious about lies ahead, trust in the One who knows the way my friend. And then listen for that still small voice from the supreme Guide that’s calling out to you and me to go this way or that… and then follow it all the way to the finish line.  

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us the promise that You will never forsake us. Just as You have been leading your people since the beginning of creation, You have promised to lead us and will guide us onto the path that is best for us, just as you did for them. Help us to truly understand this so we would wholeheartedly trust You. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!