We Need A Guide
It is said that Henry Ford once had an issue with a gigantic generator that perplexed all of his electrical engineers. They called Charles Steinmetz in to the plant. He was known as the "Wizard of Schenectady." He was contemporaries of great thinkers like Einstein, Tesla, and Edison.
The story goes that upon arriving, Steinmetz rejected assistance and asked only for a notebook, pencil and cot. He listened to the generator and scribbled computations on the notepad for two straight days and nights. On the second night, he asked for a ladder, climbed up the generator and made a chalk mark on its side. He told Ford’s skeptical engineers to remove a plate at the mark and replace sixteen windings from the field coil. They did, and the generator performed to perfection.
Henry Ford was thrilled until he got an invoice for $10,000. Ford acknowledged Steinmetz’s success but balked at the figure. He asked for an itemized bill. The bill came as the following: Making chalk mark on generator: $1 Knowing where to make mark: $9,999 Ford paid the bill.
It's a great thing to be led by a master. One who knows all things inside and out. The journey ahead at times seems unknowable and we desperately search for voices of assurance who know the way.
One of my favorite accounts of the Exodus story is found in the Psalms. In chapter 77 it says,
The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Isn't this what life feels like at times? Storms, whirlwinds and trembling. I certainly feel that right now. There are too many things to list. Too many problems in the world. Too many massive situations hanging in the balance. What do we do and who do we look for to find hope in all of this? I'll give you a hint: The answer will not be found in the next election.
We need something far greater. We need Someone far greater.
When we are up against a wall and it seems like there is no way out (Exodus 14), trust the One Who makes paths through the sea and mighty waters. We need a guide now more than ever. He is the Shepherd of Israel and He still leads today.