“I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6 NIV)

My oldest son and I had decided to go on a camping trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Northern Ontario, Canada. After the long drive and the time it took us to set up camp, we only had two hours before dusk; but this didn’t stop us from going on an adventure in the woods. We choose a trail not too far from our camp, and off we went.

As Donovan, my oldest son, is fascinated with mushrooms and fungus, we found ourselves stopping often to take pictures of these strange phenomenon that look more like beings from outer space. Once on the top of the mountain, we admired the beautiful sun as it began to set. A lake peeked out from behind the trees, making it an ideal spot for a photography session. Or at least we hoped so!

As we continued on our trek, we began to realize that the sun was setting, and we had not even done a quarter of the loop we were on. We needed to speed up our pace in order to beat the soon-coming dark. Imagine being surrounded by growling, hungry-looking eyes! Oh no! A real nightmare! Or is it more my overactive imagination?

Naturally, we absolutely had to take photos whenever we saw beauty. Otherwise it would be completely criminal, and of course this delayed us from attaining our final goal. As the night set in, I began to have a problem. I am legally-blind in one eye, and as a result, I only see in two dimensions. The shadows from the approaching dusk made it very difficult for me to judge the depth of the steps I needed to take. What would I do? It’s then that I remembered John 14:6. If my Master is the way, I had nothing to fear as He was my guide.

My son had no problem walking in a dusky forest. His eyes work perfectly well. All I had to do was to follow in his footsteps. Whenever the upcoming path was steep or slippery, he would warn me. At times, when the rocks were especially slippery, he would take my hand and help me to safety. Following in his footsteps, I never had the need to panic. He knew the way we needed to go.

That day, my Father in Heaven guided me through my son. During my life time on planet Earth, I never have to worry about anything, as long as I focus on the footsteps of the One who is “The Way”. He will lead me to a safe haven, no matter what. At times He will hold my hand to see me through. Other times, when discouragement is on the horizon, He will tenderly embrace me.

We are truly alive when we hand everything over to the One who is called “The Way”. No one else can claim this. In Him we can fully trust.

Are you surrounded by darkness and shadows that seem quite menacing? Focus on Jesus. He will get you safely out of there. After all, our destination is where He resides, and one day, sooner or later, we will attain this heavenly paradise. The best place for photography, don’t you think?

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalms 23:4, NIV)

Rob Chaffart

Written on August 19, 2014

(To access the entire “Alive” devotional series, please click here.)