Light for the Next Step

There’s a certain hush that falls over the world before daybreak. Maybe you’ve felt it if you’ve ever run a boat at first light. The sky is still deep blue, the water dark as ink, and as you nudge the boat from the landing, there’s just enough light to see the water ripple ahead—not the whole bay, just enough to steer clear of the flats and the reefs.
Life can feel a lot like that early morning trip on the water. We often set out with a destination in mind, but the way ahead is shadowed, uncertain. We’re not sure what we’ll face that day—hidden obstacles, sudden storms, or calm waters. The future is out of sight, and we wish we could see a little further down the line.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Notice it’s not a floodlight that lets us see miles ahead; it’s a lamp—a steady, gentle beam that shows us the next step, just enough to keep us moving forward without stumbling.
God promises guidance through His Word, but not always the whole picture. He invites us to trust Him step by step, moment by moment. When uncertainty looms large, His Word steadies our direction, assuring us that even if we can’t see beyond the bow of the boat, He’s already on the waters ahead.
Today, wherever you find yourself—whether in flat calm or sloppy conditions —open His Word. Let it light your next step. It may not reveal the whole journey, but it will be enough for you to take that next act of faith, walking in obedience and trusting God to guide you home.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for guiding us even when we can’t see the whole way ahead. Help us trust Your Word as our lamp and follow where You lead, step by step. In Jesus’ name, Amen.