Finding the Right Path

I am going to share an experience I had not too long ago. Maybe some have had similar experiences. I've only shared it with a few people, including my mom, and I was told I need to write it down. I figured that my blog was the best spot since it may help others like it has helped me. That, and my hand might cramp from writing it. So, this post may be longer than others, but there is really no way to cut it short without accurately describing my thoughts and feelings.

It begins with a scripture. Joshua 1:9. It says: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Many of us have heard this scripture before, and recently, it has been a guide for me. It wasn't until a few months after my story that I made the connection between my experience and this scripture. Here is my story:

Back in October, I was invited to participate in our stake's Youth Conference. (That alone was a phenomenal experience!) We were camping in the forest and at night it was very dark. So dark that I couldn't see in front of me without a flashlight. There were two main locations: our camping grounds (where all the tents were) and the gathering area down a small road (where we ate and had devotionals). There were also many gorges and ditches everywhere. At night you could barely see the lights of the camping grounds from the other gathering area.

One of these nights, I was walking back to the camping grounds by myself with my small flashlight. It didn't take long before I got a little nervous. First, I was alone, completely alone. Second, my flashlight was only showing a step or two ahead of me. Finally, it seemed like the road was taking me in a different direction than toward the campgrounds. I soon realized that I was walking right by it. As I walked, I watched as the campgrounds slowly went by me. I felt as if I had missed my destination-like it was too late.

Logically, I knew that I was on the right path, but I started to doubt a little. After all, the road turned away from the campgrounds to avoid a huge gorge-like ditch. So, the road had to pass the ditch and go around it in order for me to get to the campgrounds safely. I knew this. I had seen it during the day, but when night had settled and the darkness was all around, I was afraid.

I could hear where I had come from. I could hear the laughter and the music from the gathering area I had left behind. I could also see the glow of the campfire by our tents. I could see where I was headed. I could see my goal-where I wanted to be.

Inside me I knew I was on the right path. I knew that if I kept going, I would eventually get to where I was going. And it was still a bit scary, but I kept walking. I followed the road and it continued to take me past the campgrounds. But, it also began to curve and head back to the my goal. I finally made it. And I felt peace.

As I have reflected on this experience and the scripture I shared previously, I have connected it to my own life. First, I am never alone. My Heavenly Father is with me-wherever I go. He is by my side cheering me on and giving me courage. Second, even though I couldn't see very far ahead of me, I stayed in the light. Sometimes, I can only see so far ahead of me in my life, but, again, our Heavenly Father is right there telling us to be strong and of good courage. If I trust in Him, in the Light, I will never go astray. As I faithfully take steps in my life, I may not see exactly where I am going, but they will take me somewhere. If they are the right steps, it will be somewhere good.

Finally, I know where I came from. I know where I want to go. I have goals that I want to reach, but I don't know how I'm going to get there. Sometimes, I think that I am walking right past my only opportunity, but the Lord has another way planned for me. Just because I am trying to live the Gospel and be faithful and enduring doesn't mean that I know how I am going to get there. It doesn't mean that I know every step of the way.

The Lord has a plan for me. I can try to make my own plans, but they may or may not be in accordance with His will. I feel like the desires I have are righteous. I want to make it to the temple, I want to have a family, I want to be better educated, I want to be a better person, and other things. Yet, in order to get there, it seems like I have to walk down a different path than I anticipated in order to obtain them. There must be something I need to learn along the way that will benefit me. Even if that is true, it is still hard. However, I am trying to have faith as I trust in the Lord, rely on His strength and Light, and keep walking along His path. I know that if I do these things, I will eventually reach my goals. It may seem different then I had planned, but I will get there as long as I trust in His will.

All in all, I am trying to remember that the Lord is with me, that I can be courageous, and that I can have good cheer as I travel through. For me, that can make all the difference.