No one becomes an angel...
unless they carry with them from the world
something of an angelic character.
And in this character
there is present a knowledge of the way from walking in it,
and a walking in the way through a knowledge of it.
– Angelic Wisdom about the Divine Providence 60 –
How we respect people whose mellow character exudes a 'knowledge of the way from walking in it, and a walking in the way through a knowledge of it'! We love such people because this is the angelic character.
People like this give us hope. They have muddled along many paths. They've stumbled, gone off course, have stood, looking this way and that, in indecision and desperation. But they have persevered and returned.
Strangely though, as much as we admire hard experience, and its net effect for the person who has 'overcome', this doesn't make us eager to set out for ourselves on the chilly, uncertain roads that separate us from our destination. Often, it makes us want to curl up tighter in our meagre blanket before the fire, and dream of the day when we'll 'arrive'.
This is foolish and we know it. But why is it so difficult to leave the security of our past, or present, even when they are not so good? Why is it so difficult to actually change our life — to live the truth — when yet this is clearly the only road to greater happiness?
Fortunately, neither the Lord nor hell allows us to remain sedentary. We are pushed out into the street. Hell cruelly withdraws from us our present satisfactions and offers us greater, at greater risk.
The Lord permits this so that He can challenge us onward:
Stand in the ways and look,
and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is, and walk in it;
then you will find rest for your souls.
– Jeremiah 6:16 –
Obey My voice, and I will be your God...,
and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you,
that it may be well with you.
– Jeremiah 7:23 –
In John, He even says:
'Follow Me'. 'Where I am going you know, and the way you know'!
And though we may respond, 'Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?' the fact is we do know the way, we just haven't walked in it enough to have confidence in it. Perhaps we're scared that we'll get lost if we strike out. Or afraid that what we have now won't be replaced by something better.
We do know the way. Not all the details, to be sure (we can get those only by walking in it).
Wonderfully, the more living knowledge we get from walking, the easier it is to make our way. Walking and knowledge 'stoke' each other: they proceed hand in hand, supporting and encouraging each other to the goal.
So set out! The Lord is with you! He loves you too much to 'do it all for you' or to save you the pain that choice may bring! 'The way you know'. Lay His Word up in your heart and set out! And then, as you walk, if you listen carefully...
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
'This is the way, walk in it...'
– Isaiah 30:21 –
