When The Path Ahead Is Cloudy - The Crosswalk Devotional - June 21 

When The Path Ahead is Cloudy
By: Keri Eichberger

Bible Reading: 
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

The other morning, I woke with more fog in front of me than usual. I sat in my recliner, peered out the window, and stared at the heavy layer of low clouds blocking every speck of sunshine, shielding my view of what lay in the distance. And that was precisely the sense that had been settling in my mind and heart. An obstruction of what might be happening beyond my present moments and current focus—a strange swelling sensation of cloudiness within. I couldn’t quite see what God was doing and where he might be leading me. The path ahead seemed cloudier than ever, leaving me with a sense of shadowed entrapment. And I couldn’t put my finger on why. All I knew was that it felt extremely uncomfortable. And I longed for God's clear vision and sight of a paved path to hope and joy.

I shared my confusion with my husband and suggested that maybe I was feeling this way because my current circumstances were so limiting, causing my future to feel more uncertain than ever. Thus, I couldn’t even guess what tomorrow would look like, much less what next week, a few months ahead, or the year’s end might bring.    

Do your current surroundings look a little foggy? Is your view ahead clouded with restrictions? Limitations, or tons of unknowns?  You might not feel confined in your present moments, but even if you have the freedom to plot points toward your next desired destination, no one knows what’s next. All we can truly be sure of is what we see right now. That, and the steadfast truths of God.

And this is precisely where I knew I needed to set up camp, not staring at the thick clouds dimming my uncertain circumstances. But at the truths of God. God’s unfailing, redeeming goodness. And we begin to see again in those laser—focused eyes locked on him. Staring at his perfect love, we see the light, gain clearer vision, and see beyond the present. It is not the perfect worldly future we may have dreamt of, but it is a bright future nonetheless. Here is what we can be sure of for our future. With the good Lord as our hearts’ and minds’ delight and desire, our future will be full of goodness.

Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/SanderStock 

Keri Eichberger is a Jesus-loving Kentucky girl. She is married to her best friend, Mike, and has a full house of five kids. After years of writing for an online audience, Keri became ordained through Southeast Christian Church, giving her life to full-time ministry. She is the author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes, and has a passion for sharing faith-filled encouragement through devotional writing. Connect with Keri at KeriEichberger.com or Instagram.