Blind Trust

Lex Gillette, a blind long-jumper from North Carolina, participated in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games. Before an event, his guide shows him around the course. During competitions, the guide positions Gillette at the starting line, then goes to the sand pit, where he claps and calls steadily so the athlete can follow the sounds and run straight ahead. Gillette knows to jump when he hits his 16th step.

Unable to see where he’s going, nor the line from which to jump, nor where he’ll land, Gillette entrusts himself fully to his guide. The result? Three consecutive silver medals, and a world record set in 2011.

We’re all blind to what lies ahead in life, so our guide, the Holy Spirit, goes before us and beckons us forward in the way we should go. We can fully trust Him to navigate us through all the twists and turns, mountains and valleys we encounter. 

Gillette repeatedly made the choice to diligently train and then trust his guide. Similarly, we too must choose to continually be a student of God’s Word, be disciplined, obey His teachings, and follow His lead.