Following Blindly

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Do you ever feel like you’re going through life blind?

My wife and I have had many discussions lately about where the Lord is leading us to serve.  We have prayed, attended church, tried to be good stewards with what we’ve been given; tried to live a life that lines up with what God desires for us, and made sacrifices seeking His will.  Yet, I have found myself frustrated.  At times, my prayers have been along the lines of, “God, I don’t get it.  I’m trying to do what You want, but it seems like You’re not listening.  Why does it seem like all I have is questions, and no one is providing answers?”.

It is an experience which has drawn out honesty in my prayers.

The nice, neat little prayers I used to say have been replaced by a genuine conversation with God.  Joy, hope, frustration, and worry are all expressed in a true crying out for Him.

Why does it seem like there are so many times when God won’t just show me what His plan is?  Why do I feel as though I am wandering blindly, when He promises to give me sight?

Then I found a story in the Bible which hit me in a whole new way.

In Exodus 33: 12-23, there is an interesting interaction between Moses and God.  Moses has been used by God to lead the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he has seen God’s power first hand, and, in Exodus 33, he is worried about what’s next.

12 Moses said to the LORD, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

Moses is crying out for answers and guidance, longing to be reminded that God has a plan, that God will be with him, and the Lord answers,

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (vs 14)

Then, Moses asks to see God’s glory. (vs 18)

Moses wants to see God.  He wants visual confirmation of the one who is leading him.  He is desperate for the reassurance that he is not doing this alone, and God provides.

19 And the LORD said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

The Lord tells Moses He will show Himself to him, but that no one can see the face of God and live.

21 Then the LORD said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

God, essentially, has Moses stand in a corner while He covers his eyes and passes by.

So often, we cry out to God for guidance.  Many times, we long to see God and know that we are heading down the right path, and that we are not alone.  We feel as though life is hazy, and we are blindly stumbling around, in search of the next step. However, sometimes we feel blind because God is covering our eyes.

God knows we can’t handle His full glory.

If we saw the full picture of God’s plan, we’d allow pride to get in the way.  If we knew the whole of His will, we’d simply become impatient and rush toward the ending.

Sometimes, God covers our eyes and saves us from the overwhelming enormity of His glory.

[All Scripture is quoted from the New International Version]

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