“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Shoulders tense, I lean forward as I navigate the narrow, icy road. There are no painted lines to guide me, and even my bright lights let me see only a few feet ahead. Then a car turns onto the road ahead of me, and by following its lights, I see my way. I have a guide giving me direction.

Are you in a dark? When the Israelites were in the desert, God gave them a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to follow. It was clear that he was guiding them, and yet they grumbled and worried because they could see the immediate direction, but didn’t know the big picture—they weren’t in control.

God gives us a light to follow, though it is usually more subtle than the pillars of the Israelites. He is our guide—we just need to follow his light. It’s always shining.