Better Than Light and Safer Than a Known Way

Almost fifteen years ago, a pastor at a church I was visiting quoted a few lines from a poem. While the precise wording faded from my memory over time, the message did not.  I was reminded of the quote a few nights ago, and decided to look for the entire poem online. I liked it so much,  I thought I'd share it with you.

When faced with the loss, disappointment, danger, and sorrow that is inevitable in this world, I often deceive myself into thinking that if I could know what lies ahead, I could somehow avoid difficulty, pain, and unpleasantness. I can't, however, and this uncertainty and feeling of helplessness is at the heart of all my worldly fears and anxieties.

The only answer for me is to place my trust in the One who not only knows the future, but is sovereign over it. Though my hand may tremble when I reach out into the darkness, I have learned enough of God to trust that walking with Him is "better than light and safer than a known way."

"God Knows" by Minnie Haskins

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied: "Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

So heart be still!

What need our little life

Our human life to know,

If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife

Of things both high and low,

God hideth His intention.

God knows. His will

Is best. The stretch of years

Which wind ahead, so dim

To our imperfect vision,

Are clear to God. Our fears

Are premature; In Him,

All time hath full provision.

Then rest; until

God moves to lift the veil

From our impatient eyes,

When, as the sweeter features

Of Life's stern face we hail,

Fair beyond all surmise

God's thought around His creatures

Our mind shall fill.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31