Blindfolded Faith: Trusting God When You Can’t See the Way

I have such a clear memory from middle school of those team-building exercises we had to do every semester. One, in particular, always made me nervous. We would pair up, and one person would wear a blindfold while the other guided them through the school using only verbal instructions. The exercise wasn’t just about listening. It was about knowing the voice of the person guiding you and truly trusting them. If you didn’t, well… you might end up face-first into a pole.

Thinking back on that experience reminds me of how God calls us to trust Him, even when we can’t see what’s ahead. I've been going through the Bible chronologically with my church, and we recently read about the moment the Israelites turned away from God, choosing to worship a golden calf instead. Even in their failure, Moses interceded for them, and God, in His mercy, renewed His covenant. The Israelites then built the Tabernacle just as God commanded, and His presence filled it in the form of a cloud. In Numbers 9:15-23, we see how the Israelites learned to trust God’s leading. Verses 22-23 say, “Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in the camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command and did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.”

I imagine the Israelites felt a little bit like I did in that team-building exercise. They were in a position of constant uncertainty… uncertainty of when they would leave, uncertainty of how long they’d have to travel to their next location, and uncertainty of where they were being led. They were completely dependent on the signs of the Lord to guide them through the wilderness. Israel had to be prepared to break camp at a moment’s notice, no matter the inconvenience. Some grew impatient when God delayed, eager to move ahead on their own, and, others were resistant, longing to stay behind or even return to Egypt.

Doesn’t that sound familiar? So often, we want control over the journey. We want all the answers now. We want to know how long we’ll be in a season of waiting or when we’ll reach the place we desire. But uncertainty is where God teaches us to be fully dependent on Him.

We’ve all been there—those moments when we’re unsure of what comes next or when everything seems to be at a standstill. It can feel frustrating and confusing, right? But in those times, God calls us to trust in His perfect timing, even when we can't see the bigger picture. Waiting can be uncomfortable, but it is often where God does His best work in us. It’s in the waiting that He strengthens our faith, reveals our dependence on Him, and teaches us patience. Think of all the biblical figures who had to wait: Abraham waited for his promised son, Joseph waited in prison before his rise to leadership, and David waited years to become king. Each of them had moments of uncertainty, yet God was working behind the scenes all along.

On the other hand, sometimes we resist moving when God is calling us to step forward. Maybe it’s because of fear, doubt, or just the comfort of where we currently are. But just like the Israelites had to be ready to move when the cloud lifted, we must be willing to step forward in faith when God calls us. Trusting God’s timing doesn’t just mean waiting, it also means being willing, available, and ready to act for Him when He says so. It means obedience. If we hold onto fear or the desire for comfort, we may miss out on the blessings and abundance that God has in store. Stepping forward in faith doesn’t mean we will have every detail figured out, but it does mean we trust that God will provide everything we need along the way. 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 submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Lastly, just like in the team-building exercise, knowing the voice of the one leading us makes all the difference. Jesus tells us in John 10:27, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” If we don’t take the time to know God’s voice, how will we recognize His direction? God speaks to us through His Word, through prayer, and through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But if we fill our lives with noise, distractions, busyness, or the opinions of others, it becomes much harder to discern His leading. Spending time in Scripture and prayer helps us become familiar with His voice so that when He calls us to move or wait, we recognize His prompting. If the Israelites had ignored the cloud and tried to forge their own way, they would have walked outside of God’s provision and protection. The same is true for us. We must be intentional about listening for His voice so we don’t rely solely on our own understanding and selfish ambitions.

Whether we’re in a season of waiting or stepping into something new, we can take comfort in knowing that He is with us every step of the way, guiding us through the unknown. Instead of rushing ahead, fabricating our own plans, or giving into fear, we can rest in the truth that God’s plan is always unfolding and always better than our own. We don’t need to have all the answers right now. What truly matters is trusting Him with the very next step. And as we look back on the steps we’ve taken, we’ll see how God’s faithfulness has been there all along, guiding us just like the pillar of fire that led the Israelites through the wilderness.

May your roots run deep, and your faith remain strong! As always, Stay Rooted, my friends! <3