During my time as a cadet, we had night excursions where designated squads engaged in mock battles. Moving and operating undetected was paramount to gaining an advantage over the enemy. The best-laid plans became useless if the opponent detected them at an inopportune time. This meant that you had to be able to function in the dark.
Darkness was beneficial as you tried to gain an advantage and stay unnoticed. But the cover of night also proved disadvantageous when you inadvertently stepped on a branch that cracked, only to reveal your position and intention.
Walking in the dark brings uncertainty, doubt, and even fear. Decision-making is difficult when the senses cannot properly ascertain the surroundings and accurately assess what is there. When making decisions along the road of life, it can sometimes feel like we are walking in the dark. But walking in the dark is a practice that must become a skill as we walk with God and follow His direction. God has made it clear that in our human capacity, we cannot discern or make sense of everything that is going on around us.
2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
We will not have all the details before us to make what would seem to be the safe and logical step. We will be required to walk by faith. This is reiterated multiple times in Scripture (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38). To walk with God, faith is mandatory.
God makes it categorically clear that walking by faith is not only required but also necessary to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We are challenged to a walk of faith supported by sincere belief and trust in who God is and what God says. Our level of confidence in God is a measure of how much we believe what God has said, what God has done, and what God can do. Wherever we are in our measure of faith in God, God wants it to grow to another level.
So, when you are uncertain about the future, a health diagnosis, a family relationship, economic uncertainty, or political instability, continue to walk in obedience to God and follow His Word. God will honour your walk of faith in Him. Keep moving forward even when it is dark.
(excerpt from ‘Too Blessed to Make a Mess.’)