“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)

We were enjoying a special Canadian Thanksgiving outing at beautiful Filmore Glen. The scenery was breath-taking and vibrant fall leaves lined the little riverbed we were following. The weather was unusually warm for fall, and the sun was shining brightly. All in all, it was a perfect day. 

We had carefully prepared ourselves for our trek, but once we were out on the trail, we realized that somehow we had managed to leave the map behind. But, hey! Who needs a map when the trail is well-marked! Besides, my wife was with us! She’s a hound dog at heart, and she can find her way through anything. (It’s a useful skill, really, and it’s just one of the reasons she’s so useful to have around!) Bottom line: We didn’t need the map!

Or so we thought!

We were planning to visit the park’s dam, but towards the end of the path we were greeted by an unwelcome sign: “End of Trail. Hiking beyond this point Prohibited!”

How could this be? Wasn’t the dam supposed to be at the end of this trail? We looked beyond the path for any signs leading to that promising dam. Nothing! What were we supposed to do?

Right next to the sign, a bit higher up, was another sign indicating the way to the North rim trail. We already knew it would circumvent the waterway and lead us to higher ground, away from the dam. We knew better than to take that!

Looking around, we noticed a bridge, but there was no other indication. Could this be the way to the dam? We crossed it and found ourselves on another path leading away from the riverbed. Hum. This really didn’t look very encouraging, and worst of all, my hound dog seemed to have lost her scent!

Just then, a family of four came scampering down the hill with a map in hand. It so happened that the dad had an extra map in his pocket, and when he realized we were without ours, he gave us his second one. It turned out that the North Rim Trail did, indeed, lead to the sought out dam, and we arrived at our destination without further incident. Without that special little map however, we might still be hiking desperately lost around those woods!

Often in life we tend to rely on signs, but without God’s Word, our map, our guide book, we are wandering on dangerous grounds!

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” (Ps 119:105 NIV)

P. S. Would you happen to know the way to Timbuktu?

Rob Chaffart