It's a Jungle Out There

In an oft-told story, a man embarked on a jungle expedition. As the safari guide painstakingly cleared away obstacles on their path, the tall weeds and thick underbrush, the traveler became weary in the stifling heat. Exasperated, he exclaimed, “Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?” The seasoned guide stopped, looked at the man and replied, “I am the path.”[1]

The Jungles of Our Lives

Of course, the jungles of our lives do not consist of navigating thick underbrush or confronting vicious beasts. Let’s face it, however, in a fleeting moment, life can become a tangled web of fearful circumstances as we confront unexpected, often terrifying situations. We find ourselves suddenly navigating unfamiliar, treacherous paths where we have no idea what to do. How do we find help? How do we  manage the emotional, financial, or physical agony that has unexpectedly come our way? In those moments, we cry out, “Lord, where are you taking me? Help me on this pain-filled, frightening path!”

One truth is sure: our Lord Jesus

understands the difficult routes

we must travel, ones filled with

temptations, discouragement, fears,

and suffering. He understands the

sorrows inherent in life’s journey

because He suffered the death of

dear loved ones like Lazarus

(John 11:1-44) and the pain of His own execution (John 19:28-30). He endured the weariness of long days (Luke 8:22–25) and the betrayal of His closest friends (Matthew 26: 47-56). He lived among us for thirty-three years to remind us that not only was He God but also that He was in the flesh—a man with human frailties who never succumbed to temptation or sin.

Everything shifts for us when we understand this certainty: Jesus is the One who knows the path and is the path. He assures us, “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Further, He “will make known to me the path of life” (Psalm 16:11a). Although our circumstances may not change, the peace and hope that calms our anxious hearts comes from the One who accompanies us on life’s journey; He will lead us from life’s jungle to our heavenly home.

A Changed Perspective

When life suddenly brings a catastrophe, we may experience permanent life changes. For example, a woman I know was suddenly widowed after a long and loving marriage. Consequently, she struggled with loneliness, purposelessness, and the loss of identity as a wife and as being a couple with her spouse. Throughout the first two years of her widowhood, this woman often cried out to the Lord, asking forgiveness for her lack of faith and trust in Him as she struggled. Then one day, as she was praying, she heard the Spirit’s comforting, reassuring words, “This is a new path for you. Trust me to lead and teach you as you learn how to serve me as a widow.”

No longer focusing on her altered circumstances, her perspective changed as she remembered Jesus’ promise: “I am the way” (John 14:6). Her experience shows that we can trust the Good Shepherd: “Your Shepherd knows that you were not made for this place. He knows you are not equipped for this place. So he has come to lead you out. He has come to restore your soul. He is the perfect one to do so.”[2]

Psalm 23, which has been precious to believers through the ages, also offers this comfort about the Shepherd’s leading:

        The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want,  

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters. 

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness 

for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,          

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;         

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (vs.1-4)

A Shepherd for each Season

Dr. Michael G. McKelvey points out that the opening lines of Psalm 23 literally mean “In pastures of grass, he makes me to lie down; upon waters of rest, he guides me.”  Since shepherds lived in a region with sparse grazing land, they faced a challenge in caring for their flocks.  According to McKelvey,

The shepherd needed to know where to go, the best route to take, and the pace at which to lead the flock. There would likely be dry and difficult terrain to cross, as well as untold dangers from wild beasts and thieves along the way. Christ as the Good Shepherd cares for us along the way, sustaining us each step, in each season.” [3] 

Jesus cares for us in each season of life—what a comforting thought. Perhaps we have gone from singleness to newlywed, from young parent to grandparent. Or maybe we have experienced singleness with a great career to sudden job loss, or to facing long-term illness, to betrayal, or to heartbreaking loss. Wherever our life’s path leads, as the widow discovered, there is life afterwards guided by our ever-present Shepherd and Savior. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

How comforting to know that we are not alone on life’s journey. Our Shepherd has come not only to save us but also to lead us safely Home.

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[1] Lucado, Max. “He Gives Us Himself.” GRACE for the Moment, Volume II:

(J. Countryman, a trademark of Thomas Nelson Publishing, 2006), 126.

[2] Lucado, Max. “The Right Direction.” GRACE for the Moment, Volume II. 

(J. Countryman, a trademark of Nelson Publishing, 2006), 94.

[3] McKelvey, Dr. Michael G. “He Makes Me Lie Down in Green Pastures; He Leads Me Besides Still Waters.” TableTalk Magazine. https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article. 2018/08/   

/he-makes-me-to-lie-down-in-green-pastures-he-leads-me-beside-still-waters.