Our Shepherd is the Perfect Guide

By Alexandra Tauhid, Toronto, Canada

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. – Psalm 23:3b

When I think of a guide, I envision someone taking me from Point A to Point B. From where I am to where I want to be. I recall my first experience taking a walking tour when I did a solo trip in Amsterdam last year. To ensure my security, I researched for a guide with high ratings and good reviews that spoke not only of his knowledge of the city, but also with great character. Our guide was wonderful.

He led us through different paths while sharing fun historical facts and pointing out interesting details. He also stopped at certain points and asked us to not enter a neighborhood or peer into certain shops because of tourism laws to protect the integrity of locals. Did this mean that my tour guide did not want me to have a pleasant experience and enjoy exploring? Absolutely not! He encouraged us to have good fun but if he said, “Don’t go there,” or “Watch out for this” and then allowed me to do whatever I wanted, his reputation would be negatively affected and he might receive a poor review by the onlookers in our tour group. Would I have enjoyed my little detour? Sure! Would that help him live up to his name and entrust him to future tourists? Unlikely.

When I reflect on Psalm 23:3b, the delusional optimist in me likes to read it as, “He guides me along the right paths so that I (Alex) can have all the good things that I desire and receive exactly what I pray and plan for, as long as they don’t contradict his commands.” While I’m sure that this is true to some degree – that God would like to give me the desires of my heart – I’m quite sure this is not the message of this scripture.

“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” And what is His name? Protector. Healer. Provider. Lifter of my head. Refuge. Strength of my salvation. Defender. The great “I AM.” Alpha and Omega. Beginning and End. Author and Perfecter of my faith. My Shield. Stronghold. Deliverer. Rock.

When you look God up, that is his reputation. God is like my tour guide but with even more on the line. He is not just a local guy from Amsterdam. He is the Eternal God, responsible for all of mankind, with an even greater character to upkeep. Although there are action steps to my goals which I deem best, timing that I prefer, and people I want to keep in my life – it might not be what God wants for me. He may tell me “No,” “Not Now,” or “Go here instead” and it’s not because He doesn’t love me, care for what I desire, or isn’t leading me well. It’s the opposite. He cares too much about me to slack on His righteousness and lead me in any other way. Knowing the value that He places on his name, I can let go more and trust His timing. I can walk confidently through open doors or past closed ones. I can patiently endure periods of waiting and be still knowing he is always there no matter who He removes or adds to my life. Like being led by my European tour guide, I can feel secure because God is as skilled and watchful as He promised. I can let him do his job of leading, which leaves me with more time to relax, learn and enjoy the journey from where I am and where I’m going.

Reflection Questions

Name one area of life that you are struggling to let God lead you in. Why is it difficult to let him lead here?

Find a name that God describes himself by. How does this name encourage and allow you to trust His lead in this area of life?

Alexandra Tauhid is a 27-year-old Nigerian Canadian woman who lives in Toronto, Canada. She teaches dance in the local community while serving in the teen ministry as a youth leader. A disciple for 11 years, Alexandra is passionate about God’s call to love others and enjoys spending time fellowshipping with disciples and meeting up with her friends. When she’s not dancing (which is almost every day), Alexandra likes to spend her time working out, trying different cuisines, travelling, and watching Korean dramas with her mother.