Saturday, August 30

You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
—Psalm 16:11

Several years ago I traveled to Holy Isle, also known as Lindisfarne. An incredible little island off the coast of northeastern England, it has one road from the mainland— available only at low tide. Otherwise, the sea covers it.  

I went there to walk the ancient pathway known as the pilgrim's way. Since Saint Aiden went there to heal the sick during the Black Plague, pilgrims have come to walk the three miles from the shore to the little isle.  

And what a walk it is. Shells, kelp several feet high, and the ever-present fog all greet you along a path that seems custom-made for contemplation. Since the tide makes a true pathway impossible, the journey is marked by poles every twenty-five yards or so.  

There's just something about walking so close to the sea and not being able to see the full trek before you. When you leave the mainland, you usually can't even see the island. You just start walking off the coast, watching the tide come in as you walk. You must trust the poles, follow them into the unknown, and have faith in the journey.  

Isn't it the same with our lives? We're given a few landmarks along the way, poles standing before us showing where to walk if we'll just follow. But knowing the destination, what it looks like, is not included. Instead, it's the journey that's most important. Just putting one foot in front of the other and walking, trusting, having faith that God will be with us—that's all that we have.  

And isn't that enough?  

God you are with me on the pathways of life, loving, caring, surrounding me with your grace and mercy. Help me trust your presence as we take the journey together. Amen.

The Signposts for August are written by Michael Sullivan and originally appeared on explorefaith in 2006.