EYES WIDE SHUT

For it is better, with closed eyes, to follow God as our guide, than, by relying on our own prudence, to wander through those circuitous paths which it devises for us. ~John Calvin

One of the things that I appreciate is the frankness of John Calvin. He didn’t bother with flowery language or beat around the bush of how we should behave or think but rather was bold and blunt in his writing. Calvin wrote a great deal about the inherent part of being a human being that meant we would make mistakes and stray from God. No matter how hard we try, in modern language, we mess up. We forget things and others. We overlook people and situations. We get in our own emotions and feelings forgetting about the needs of others. We just mess up.

I love this quote from Calvin because he reminds us that at the forefront of our lives and our faith should be our allowing God to guide our path and our steps. It is better to allow God to lead us through life with our eyes shut than to attempt to steer our own way. When we try to steer our boats without God, we are bound for rougher waters. The things about life is that there will be rough waters for all of us. There will be times and places that are more challenging than others. However, Calvin reminds us that by following God as our guide navigating those rough waters with support, love and a guide makes our journey a meaningful and hopeful experience.

Prayer

God of all places and times, as we journey through this world, we turn to you to be our guide. You light the path, hear our thoughts and prayers, and provide boundless love. Help us to follow up and listen to your call rather than our own devices. In Jesus name, Amen.