"You Don't Need a Map When You Have a Guide. The Important Thing, though, is . . .

. . . stay close to your guide."  These wise words are from my son, Caleb Andrew.  I recall that he first spoke them to me over ten years ago (he'll be 30 on Dec. 6), when we would often go on hikes or back-packing adventures along beautiful trails in Missouri (like Pickle Creek in Hawn State Park near St. Genevieve and the Osark Trail in the Mark Twain National Forest near Van Buren). His words resonate with truth not only for outings into the wilderness but also for each day of our lives. 

As humans, though, we would much rather have a map that lines out for us all the paths lying ahead so that we can be alerted to the challenging roads and be encouraged by knowing our ultimate destination.  Its a bit unsettling not to know where you're going and having to rely upon someone else to lead you.  But, I was recently reminded while on my journey to Japan that it is indeed much better to have a guide than try to follow a map -- even one with detailed instructions.

I had been given (through a number of emails) wonderfully detailed instructions on how to proceed from Narita International Airport to the adjoining depot to then travel by train via Tokyo Station (the Grand Central of Japan's capital) and a transfer to another train on to Atami Station where I was to look for a bus to the conference center, or should I miss the last bus due to a late arrival, I was then to hail a taxi that would convey me up the narrow, winding mountain road from Atami to the Fuji Hakone Land Hotel.

That should have given me confidence.  I had the map.  My only problem was that I had never been outside of Narita Airport before.  My prior travels had only taken me to Japan for lay-over's and transfers to planes that flew me on destinations beyond in Asia and America.  So, even though I had all the information to show how I could get from the airport to the hotel, I had this sinking feeling that my limited ability to take that information and use it in a strange place to find the way would most likely result in my being "a mite bewildered" (since, of course, as an Eagle Scout, I would never get "lost").

To my great relief about two days before I was to travel from Korea to Japan, I received assurance that a dear and faithful sister from Tokyo would plan to meet me upon my arrival at Narita and serve as my guide to get me where I needed to go.  It is hard for me to express the peace that flooded my heart and mind when I knew that I would not have to rely upon my own efforts to read and follow a map (and an excellent map at that) but I could rest in the presence of my guide who had promised to be with me along the way.

In fact, my guide enabled me to understand the instructions I had been given and encouraged me to ride the express train that was headed for Tokyo Station.  I didn't hesitate when she promised to meet me again further down along the way she had set me upon. 

Caleb's words had proved true once again.  "You don't need a map when you have a guide."

"In paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them."
Isaiah 42:16