In Exodus 23:20 God assured him, “Behold, I send an angel before you, to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.” This angel, I believe, was the angel of the Lord that appeared to Moses out of the burning bush. (Exodus 3:2)

I have two tendencies I need to guard against on my journey. One is to sometimes doubt my ability to follow close to the Lord. Other times I have too much confidence in my own ability to follow. This results in pride and legalism. God gave me a liberating word recently. “If you ever make it in the Christian life, it won’t be because you are a good follower. It will be because my Son is a good leader. Put your confidence in His ability to lead you, not in your ability to follow.” That put Psalm 23 and Luke 5:27 in a whole new light. I can make it because my Lord is a good leader!

TURTLES – After the Sanders’ troop returned from their hike, I asked them what animals they had seen. They disappointedly said that they only saw a baby box turtle. “Do you know what you can learn from a turtle?” I asked. “Yeah, I know,” said Elijah, “Like a turtle we need to be patient and persevere. Not always being the fastest, but finishing the race.” (Hebrews 4:1; 6:12) “Yes,” I replied, “But we can learn something else – a turtle has to stick his neck out to get anywhere. That means that we have to take risks, get out of our comfort zones, and try new things if we want to succeed and go places. (Hebrews 11)

TICKS – Hiking through the woods where we live can have a downside. After returning home you have to check for ticks, especially deer ticks which are not so endearing. While checking the boys, I made the mistake of telling them that ticks will suck the blood out of you. When I found one on Taet, he went ballistic, tearfully insisting that he was never going hiking again. Sometimes we all feel that way. Life’s journey can have some nasty ticks and trials. A woman who lost her only son in the devastating earthquakes in China was weeping and wailing on a TV news spot, “Why does life have to be so hard?” she screamed. But the joys of the journey and the rewards of the coming promise land make it worth the difficulties we face on the trail. We can have confidence if we keep our eyes on the leader who will never lead us astray – the Lord Jesus Christ.

TITUS – Titus is not well known but the Apostle Paul refers to him 13 times. He was a well beloved convert and co-worker of Paul’s. In Titus 1:3 Paul greets him with God’s grace, mercy, and peace. They are essential for hiking through the wilderness. Have you ever seen a discarded turtle shell? Paul reminds us, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:15). This great hope will be realized when Jesus returns for His blood bought, blood washed children. We will shed this mortal body and put on immortality. We will live in the promise land of heaven with our Lord forever. Put confidence in our faithful leader – the Lord Jesus Christ! “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).