Craig Clouston

 Out of the Blinding Darkness

February 19

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar

paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light.

Isaiah 42:16

Craig had been lost for hours when he saw the light in the distance. “Finally!”

he uttered in relief. A wildlife photographer, he had set out that snowy morn-

ing following fresh elk tracks, hoping to get some good photos. The animal had

entered the dark timber where the snow wasn’t as deep.

In dark timber, things are a lot closer, trees are only feet apart, and land-

marks appear the same in every direction. Taking a new compass reading, he set

out. As he continued trailing the bull, he encountered other tracks. It became

harder to distinguish the original trail. He decided to take another compass

reading before continuing on. That’s when he realized his compass was gone!

Somewhere in the heavy brush, it had been torn from his pack!

With fading daylight, the elk was forgotten; finding his way out took pre-

cedence. He walked for forty minutes as his anxiety mounted. Then he saw

a light in the distance. Heading toward it, he found a hunting cabin. After

a short explanation, the cabin owner said he knew exactly where Craig was

parked. Thirty minutes later, he deposited a weary and grateful Craig at his

vehicle.

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Craig had been four miles off course. Had the man in the cabin not lighted

the lantern, Craig would have had to rely on his wilderness skills for survival.

During daylight, he might have been able to backtrack. But in the dark, with

failing light, he would have been forced to spend the night where he was, so he

didn’t stray even further off course.

We can lose our way spiritually and get caught up in things that appear

innocent and harmless. In the midst of our hunt, we can become lost. It’s only

a step or two farther into the dark timber. Without a spiritual compass, we

can die. Thankfully, God gave us the Holy Spirit as our compass. But it’s our

responsibility to take frequent readings to assure ourselves we are on the right

path.

Prayer

“Help me see Your guiding light when I stray,

Lord. Please point me in the right direction when

I get off track. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”