Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

I can’t read this verse without remembering a statue on the grounds of Hargrave Military Academy, in Chatham, Virginia. The statue is of a young boy, with a man standing behind him, and this verse, along with verse 20, is inscribed on the base. Hargrave has rescued many, many boys who were undisciplined for various reasons. Some of them were given the option of Hargrave or jail, but the vast majority of graduates have gone on to live successful, productive lives. The point of what God spoke through Isaiah is that He will indeed teach and guide us, so we should expect that. Sometimes, like at Hargrave, that involves a very regimented program, but it can take a wide variety of forms. Sometimes, to quote John Denver, you can “Talk to God, and listen to the casual reply.” (Not that I am setting John Denver up as an exemplar of faith.) We don’t have to be anxious, we just need to be submitted and obedient. We have such trouble believing that God really has a plan, and it’s good. As I’ll be preaching this morning, we need to set our hearts on hearing God, on learning what He’s teaching us and following it. If we will do that, His plans will be fulfilled, and that’s the very best outcome for us and for all those we care about.

This is a very timely Word for me, because I’m currently waiting for my passport to be returned after renewal, so that I can purchase tickets to go see my brother and sisters in Kentucky, quite probably for the last time for one or more of them, before we meet again in heaven. This has come up suddenly, after we had already mailed off our passports for renewal, and the various uncertainties are the most taxing. Meanwhile, there are all sorts of things to do here, and the major matter of how my wife will be properly taken care of in my absence, since I help her get dressed each morning and do all sorts of other things for her. It’s been seven years since I’ve been in the US, and I’ve never taken an Uber, but don’t want to have to drive in a city I barely remember. This will be a very learning, trusting experience! At this point I’ve been awake since well before 3, because my mind wouldn’t shut up. My body is reasonably rested, but not so my mind! Today I’ll not only be leading the service and preaching, I’ll be teaching on Motivational Gifts after lunch, and I have further preparation to do for that. I have felt that I was given the gift of faith, but I’m discovering that I have plenty of room to grow in that area, too! I am very aware that God uses imperfect instruments, and I am very grateful. As He has told me to do, I need to rest, relax, and rejoice in him, doing everything He calls on me to do in the strength and wisdom He provides, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this Word, and for this experience. Help me indeed learn from it all that You want to teach me, so that I may in turn share Your grace and mercy with those around me, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!