Some of the best adventures occur while experiencing serendipity. When I take our two Labrador Retrievers, Bentley and Sadie, to the Chickamauga Battlefield in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia I never know what’s going to happen.

For whatever reason, Bentley puts his left paw on my right shoulder as I drive to the park.

Once I open the back door of my Honda and let them out, they are ready to go exploring. When I unclick their leashes they express their freedom by running like it’s their last run.

Then, they look back at me with what appears to be smiles on their faces. Retrieving a frisbee or a ball are a few things they never pass up. But what they really enjoy is making discoveries on a hiking trail.

They led the way one spring afternoon. I was looking down as we hiked an unknown trail carpeted with leftover leaves from the fall. The burgundy and browns had morphed into a dark sinful color. 

All of a sudden, I heard the sound. I looked up. The happy neigh of a horse. There he was in all his black, valiant glory, directly in front of us. The labs had never seen a horse.

We almost ran into them around the bend of the trail. We moved so the horse could pass. The labs were spooked. I don’t think the rider appreciated my outburst of laughter or the barking I couldn’t contain.

I think of that little adventure quite often. God wants to take each of us on a trail of adventure and discovery. But we have to be willing to go. Maybe things would be better if God pulled us by a leash. 

However, He gave us a free will. He may woo us to Himself, but He never forces Himself on us.

I’ve been lost in the woods more than I’ll admit. And I’ve been lost on life’s journey more than once. Sometimes God allows us to walk through a period of uncertainty for the purpose of leading us to a better place. A destination some call the center of God’s will, which is different for every child of God.

From Wild at Heart, John Eldredge writes, “There comes a time when you have to leave all that is familiar, and go into the unknown with God.” 

The Coronavirus took away our familiarity and replaced it with an unknown future. Doesn’t it make sense then to grab the hand of the One who holds the future, including yours? 

Maybe looking back will give you hope before you look ahead. Moses wrote, “And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for His child. Now He has brought you to this place.” (Deuteronomy 1:31, NLT)

Feeling a little lost during these days of uncertainty? 

You can stay lost, upset, and anxious, or grab the hand of the One that already rests on your shoulder. 

“Hand on my Shoulder” music video was filmed on Lake Powell in Northern Arizona, also where the movie-The Greatest Story Ever Told was shot.