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The experienced guide excitedly compelled his young friend along. He couldn’t stop telling him how beautiful the place was, how he couldn’t wait to show it to him, and how much his young friend was sure to love it. His follower inhaled deeply and began the steep ascent once again. The path was rocky and more difficult than he had anticipated. But the enthusiasm of his leader had driven him to this point and he was determined to continue. If the destination was as awesome as his guide had said, it would be well worth the journey. You see, his guide had traveled this way before and could tell of this amazing place from personal experience. He knew what awaited his young friend, who was traveling this path for the first time, and was adamant that it was worth it.

So the two continued. They crested the steep hill only to look up and see storm clouds gathering in the distance. In only a couple of hours the storm would be upon them and they were determined to cover as much ground as they could before the heavens broke loose. Stumbling over fallen logs and clambering over large boulders, the two half-walked, half-ran until the rain began to fall. Visibility grew worse and worse until eventually the young friend was forced to grab hold of the strong hand of his guide, who knew this path well. The thunder was deafening and the lightning bolted from one end of the sky to the other, but still the two pressed on. After what seemed like hours to the young friend, the rain fell lighter and the sounds of the storm grew fainter. They continued hand-in-hand until at last a ray of sunlight pierced through the storm clouds. Moments later the subtle hues of a rainbow began to glisten in the sky. The sun was setting now and the young friend paused to admire the brazen colors painted across the horizon. He looked back and a chill ran down his spine as he beheld the menacing storm clouds now safely at his back. Although he couldn’t explain it, fear had been strangely absent as he clung to the hand of his guide. The way had been dark and cold, but his steps had been sure and steady.

Now he turned again to look at the way set before him and wondered what else the journey would hold. He had no way of knowing, but of one thing he was sure: his faithful guide would be with him every step of the way and would bring him at last to the destination that was more glorious than he could even imagine.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Jeremiah 29:11

This is the image that was impressed upon my mind as I studied and pondered the above verse. I know in context this was part of a prophecy given specifically to captive Israel, but I believe the promise holds true for Christians today. We serve a God who knows the end from the beginning¹, who has gone ahead of us and is preparing a place for us², who lived an earthly life and is able to guide and help us through whatever temptations and trials we face³, who promises that if we build our life on a foundation of faithful obedience we can weather the storms of life⁴, and who tells us that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory that awaits⁵.

Thus, we live each day by faith. Not faith in some far off being or some inanimate object, but faith in a living, personal Guide who is walking with us and leading us to a heavenly home that is more glorious than we can imagine. We do not know what the journey ahead holds, but we can face any storm life blows our way because we are being led by one who has been there. One who is leading us to…an expected end.

1. Isaiah 46:10

2. John 14:2

3. Hebrews 2:18

4. Matthew 7:24-27

5. Romans 8:18

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