A few weeks ago my wife, our two daughters, my dad, my stepmom, and I had the opportunity to explore Chimney Rock park just outside of Asheville. Arriving at this park, you realize quickly, that there is quite a bit to explore. At the top of the list is, ‘The Chimney.’ The Chimney is a giant rock formation that over looks Lake Lure. Its an amazing view but, even after the elevator ride, you have to take another 45 stairs to get to the top. From there, you take a few hundred stairs back down to get to the hiking trails below.

Everyone in our party was excited about these activities except for my youngest daughter. While she has a big personality¹, she’s got little legs. It takes a lot of steps for her to keep up with the bigger people in the group. As we navigated these stairs, she wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels of joy, to say the least. In fact, the whole way down, our group was treated to a symphony of complaints from the smallest member of our squad. Thankfully, she survived this arduous descent, and we made it to the trail.

As we hit the trail, a something changed. The little one, suddenly fueled by some newfound energy, shot to the front, declaring herself the leader of our crew. Since this trail was no wild, overgrown jungle, I started thinking: why not turn this into a learning opportunity? And so began my impromptu orienteering masterclass.

When you’re on a trail, you navigate using blazes – those little markers on the trees that guide you forward. Sometimes, they’re really easy to see and other times, they’re a little less obvious. For the rest of our hike, we searched for those blazes. And while we were unsure of the length of the path or what challenges lay ahead, those blazes became our compass, leading us to our destination and back home again.

Let me ask you this: have you ever found yourself walking an unfamiliar path?

What started as a teachable moment for my daughter actually turned out to be a key life lesson for me. This literal hike reminded me that whether it’s new terrain, unexpected situations, surprising results, or a sudden storm – we’ve all been on unfamiliar paths. I am reminded of the story of Elijah found in 1 Kings and the paths he was called to navigate. Like Elijah, when we find ourselves on such a path, it is critical that we know how to navigate them.

So, what do these paths look like and how can we navigate them well?

The Path Is Clear.

Sometimes in life, the path is undeniably, unmistakably clear. This is the dream, right? Picture this: a GPS signal that never falters, a roadmap with explicit directions, or a literal voice guiding you turn by turn. This is exactly how Elijah’s journey with unfamiliar paths begins.

In 1 Kings 17:1-6, Elijah finds himself on the run from a corrupt king and his even more corrupt wife Jezebel. Looking for guidance, God gives Elijah explicit directions answering all of the important questions: Where are we going, how do we get there, what are we going to eat? God left no detail to guess; it was a full-service operation – turn left at the idol shop, cross the Brook Cherith, and, oh, don’t worry about dinner; the ravens are on DoorDash duty, they’ve got Chick-fil-A coming your way twice a day. It doesn’t get more clear than that!

Much like Elijah’s straightforward instructions, when the path is clearly marked out in our lives, we have all the answers neatly laid out. Where are we going? To the ravine. How will we get there? Leave town, take a right. What are we going to eat? A number one with some brook water.

In these seasons, the blazes on our trail are like neon signs. You can easily see the next blaze from the one you’re standing at, instilling a sense of confidence and the ability to move with purpose. It’s as if we have been handed a treasure map with an “X marks the spot” that you just can’t miss.

These are the times in life when you can run. Just like my daughter on that well-manicured trail, she raced from blaze to blaze with excitement, leading the pack. Pursuing the next marker wasn’t a task; it was an adventure. The path was not just clear; it was a wide-open source of exhilaration. She felt safe, equipped, and ready for whatever lay ahead.

In our own lives, these moments of clarity become the seasons when we know exactly what to do. The uncertainty dissipates, and we move forward with assurance, taking risks with a bold stride. But, as life often goes, these seasons are not eternal, and the path is not always this clear. Elijah’s journey was no different. There came a time when the brook dried up and it was time to move on.

The Path Is Barely Visible

In 1 Kings 17:7-16, Elijah’s story takes a turn when the brook dries up and water becomes extremely scarce. He’s back on an unfamiliar path wondering what to do. Thankfully, God shows up again and tells him what to do. However, this time, with significantly less clarity. Just like Elijah, there are times in our lives when the path is still visible, you can see the next blaze amidst the dense trees, but it takes a great deal of effort and determination to see and navigate the path forward.

After the brook dries up, God sends Elijah to find a widow in Zarephath. God says that she will provide for Elijah for the foreseeable future. Elijah finds this widow, who paints a very unexpected picture of her current financial standing, and with the audacity only a prophet of God could muster, he essentially says, “Hey, I know you’re on your last meal, but how about you feed me first? Trust me, a miracle will happen if you do!” The nerve! But I suppose it’s not every day you get a prophet at your doorstep.

In these seasons, the path is visible, but uncertainty lurks around the corners. Elijah had a vague idea of what was going to happen, but the widow’s response probably made him raise an eyebrow. If I were in his sandals, I might think, “Maybe she’s not the right person. Time to keep looking.” I might have offered to pray for her and even promised to check back when I found the right benefactor but I don’t think for a second i would have pressed the issue or asked for part of what she thought was her family’s last meal.

Just like Elijah, in these life seasons, we move with caution. It’s like walking through the woods with the next blaze in sight, but it’s not a straightforward, well-manicured trail. We tread carefully, at a slower pace, leaning in to discern the way forward. In these moments on our hike, My daughter looked to me for guidance and help. She still led the way, but she stayed much closer, aware that challenges were around.

In times like these, the wisdom of Psalm 63:1 rings true: “Early I will seek you…” We often interpret this to mean “early in the morning.” There’s even a song that makes that interpretation clear. But what if the psalmist actually meant “early in the struggle” or “early in the process”? In challenging seasons, we must keep our eyes up, focused on God and His Word, not down. On the trail, the blazes are all at the same height! If we’re looking down, discouraged and downtrodden, all we see is death – old leaves and decay. When the path is unclear, we must keep our eyes fixed forward, on Him.

While it wouldn’t be so bad if this was the most difficult type of path, it isn’t. Elijah’s story gives us one more type of path that we must learn to navigate.

The Path Is Completely Unclear

Sometimes in life, our path becomes a crossroads of complete and total confusion, much like our Chimney Rock hike. Picture standing there, unable to see the next point from where you are, and, in fact, not really knowing where you are at all.

That day, we anticipated an easy 20-minute walk. But the oversight of checking our watches at the beginning left us in the dark. You know how it goes – sometimes, 20 minutes feels like a mere 5, and other times, it stretches into what seems like 1 year, 8 months, 17 days, and 6 hours. In those moments, it feels like you’ll never make it to your destination.

Elijah, too, found himself on an unclear path about three years after his door dash days. In 1 Kings 18, drought, political turmoil, and the threat of death surrounded Elijah. Amidst this chaos, God instructed Elijah to confront King Ahab and finally bring an end to the drought. Engaging in a God vs. god showdown, Elijah challenged 450 prophets of Baal, each invoking their respective gods to prove their power. As the showdown began, the false god Baal was exposed as nothing more than a myth. Then, the fire of the one true God descended from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the altar, the wood, and even the water around it, showcasing His unparalleled might. Rain fell on the land breaking the three-year drought. However, instead of a happily-ever-after, the King and Queen desired Elijah’s death more than ever, with Jezebel vowing his demise and sending a menacing message.

In the midst of this turmoil, Elijah, feeling empty, weary, and broken, found himself on the run again, back in the wilderness with no clear direction. In the midst of his despair, God showed up, asking, “What are you doing here?” Elijah, perplexed and broken, admitted he had no idea.

In a season like this, where everything seems uncertain, things can get really difficult. The path is unclear, and fear sets in. Even on the seemingly easy path at Chimney Rock, moments of uncertainty significantly slowed my daughter down. Unsure of where to go next, she did what we all must do in such situations – she stepped back and followed her father, her guide, as we kept moving forward.

When our path is completely unclear, we must keep our eyes fixed on God and His word. Even when God seems silent, we must simply keep going in the same direction until He tells us otherwise. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it this way: “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”

For Elijah, God drew him forward. In 1 Kings 19:11, Elijah receives a promise, remembering who God is and pressing forward, anticipating something beautiful if he stays the course. He is about to experience the presence of God.

Maybe that’s where many of us have landed today, much like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:11-13. After all he endured, he questions why he’s here and even expresses a desire for death. In these moments, we ask ourselves, “What are we doing here?” Whether your ‘here’ is bitterness, fear, anger, doubt, or heartbreak, your response, like Elijah’s, may be, “Just trying to survive!”

In these seasons we must remember that nothing has changed. God hasn’t changed, our calling hasn’t changed, His love for us hasn’t changed, and our mission hasn’t changed. Just like God’s directive to Elijah in 1 Kings 19:15, we must “Go back the way [we] came.” The truth is that there are people who are with you and for you. The mission hasn’t changed and you are the one for the job.

Here’s the catch though: No matter which of these paths you find yourself on, they can all be navigated in the same way!

First, Stay the Course. God encouraged Elijah to “Go back the way you came,” but even better, stay on the path God has placed you on. Remember the words of Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Even in our darkest moments, God’s promises remain and we can stand firm. Your mission hasn’t changed. Stay the course.

Second, Be Filled with the Holy Spirit Just like Elijah in 1 Kings 19:7-8, sometimes, we just need a snack and a nap. Remember to regularly take time for rest and nourishment. Engage in scripture, prayer, and community. And if you want those times to be extremely powerful, do them simultaneously. The sometimes painful truth is that potential means nothing when you’re running on empty. We must recognize the importance of filling yourself before pouring into others.

Finally, Pour Out the Overflow. After encountering God and getting some much needed rest and nourishment, Elijah connected with Elisha and continued his mission. Allowing God to refill us offers fresh energy and a clearer path. When we overflow with the love, peace, joy, and compassion that comes from a true connection with God, we are able to continue the Kingdom work of pointing people to Jesus and raising others to do the same. As we answer this call, we will see God’s Kingdom break out in our lives and beyond.

In challenging seasons, how do you keep your focus on God and His Word? What practices help you stay the course, get filled with the Holy Spirit, and pour out the overflow?

Notes:

¹We often describe her as a party looking for a venue. Unfortunately, today’s party was of the pity variety.