Our little granddaughter is blind. At the age of three, she has already learned some lessons that God has been trying for years to teach me. Last summer, my husband and I were privileged to accompany Sarah and her teacher, Wanda, to a beautiful playground, a wonderland of adventure with rope ladders, towers connected by a swinging bridge, poles to slide on and Indian teepees.
Upon our arrival Wanda said, "Come Sarah, let's run through the maze" and they entered a maze made of upright railroad ties. We followed more slowly and when we came to a turning point, we didn't know which way to go. Several times we found ourselves up against a blank wall and we tried several paths before we found our way out of the maze that Sarah had run through so easily. We were trusting our own senses; she was trusting, and following closely, her teacher
Then Wanda led Sarah to a boardwalk, always walking before her, leading the way. She gave instructions, "This is the boardwalk, rather high off the ground. If you get too close to the edge, you'll fall. Take small steps and if you feel your foot touch the edge, move back to the middle of the walk.... Careful, Sarah, you're getting too close to the edge; move back to the right." And they ~nade it safely,all the way, together.
The teacher then led Sarah to a little hill and set a goal before her. "This is the hill with the two posts on top. See if you can climb up to the posts." Following her instructions, a tiny figure trudged to the top of the hill, circled both posts and then began the descent. "I can't! It's too steep--help me!"
"It's okay, Sarah. Why don't you sit down and slide a bit; then when you come to a place that's not So steep, you can stand up and walk again.
All my grandmotherly instincts urged me to help Sarah, to carry her so she might not fall. But her teacher knew she needed to learn to follow directions, to gain self-confidence and to strengthen those little legs.
Next was a downhill trip -- not down the smooth grassy slope that looked so easy~-but walking over rocks and ruts, with the teacher again walking the path before her. Sarah was learning how to walk over rough ground; she was learning she could safely follow her leader through the hard places.
Sarah played for a time in a long underground tunnel where she shouted to hear her voice echo. Then she followed Wanda into a cave. Always staying close to her teacher, she made her way through narrow dark passages and came at last into a large room.
We came out into the sunlight again and Wanda said, "Sarah, I'm going to the fort. You follow me. There is a muddy place you'll have to cross but it's all right; just follow me."
But Sarah didn't want to go through the mud. She walked beside it for some distance, hoping to find a dry place to cross. All the while Wanda was calling to her, "It's all right to step in the mud, Sarah. I'm right here. Come to me." But Sarah was afraid to get her feet wet and turned away and started up the hill. Her teacher called again, "You're going the wrong way. Turn around and come to me."
Obediently, Sarah turned and followed her voice. When she came again to the muddy area, Wanda spoke, "That's the place to cross, right there." And Sarah waded through the mud and entered the fort where she was free to explore.
Sarah then reentered the tunnel. But this time there was some water in the tunnel and suddenly she was afraid. "Is there water in here?"
"Yes, but the water is not deep; it's okay, Sarah."
We could hear the doubt in the childish voice as she asked again, "Will I get my shoes wet?" Then she tripped and fell and in panic, she cried out. Instantly, Wanda was on her hands and knees, crawling into the tunnel to bring out the frightened child.
How did Wanda understand what fears the child felt? How did she know Sarah could learn to walk through a world she could not see? Wanda, as a part of her training, had made her way in public places wearing a heavy blindfold. She had eaten in restaurants and played in the park as a blind person. She knew from experience the fears and frustrations that come when you can't see.
Isn't that what Jesus did for us? He came to our world in human form and walked in sandals like those of any other man that He might understand what we must face. He now says to us, "You can do it, for I have already walked this way before you." He knows that we must learn to depend on Him as He depended on His Father during His earthly life.
Are you groping your way through a maze of problems because you did not follow your Teacher closely? Your feelings are not trustworthy here. Stop and listen for His voice; see which way He leads.
On the boardwalk of life, do you tend to go from one extreme to the other? Slow down. Don't go galloping along blindly -- walk slowly and stay in the center of the road. Listen for your Teacher's instructions and follow them. He'll keep you in the straight and narrow way.
Has He set a goal before you and you've failed to reach it? Keep plodding. You CAN do it.
Have you entered a dark cave? Does the way seem narrow? It leads to a wider space, a richer, fuller life.
Are you afraid to get your feet wet? He knows where it's safe to cross the muddy places. He walked the way before you and He waits patiently, not prodding and pushing, but quietly encouraging you to come to Him.
Are you at a standstill in the dark tunnel, trapped by your own fears? Don't be afraid; He is right here with you! Did you slip and fall? Cry out to Jesus. Heill carry you through!
Life becomes a wonderful adventure when we go with Jesus, wherever He leads.
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