All this month I am highlighting excerpts from Chapter Five (on the Holy Spirit) of my new book, I Am Not Afraid of My Future, the first of The Timothy Collection for young people of every nation. The Holy Spirit is a Person. Last week we learned that He is our Teacher. This week we understand that He is also our Guide.

Some of my best memories as a young boy were going to church camp during the summer months. In those formative years, God began to awaken my awareness of the reality of His Presence in those wonderful experiences. The times we had together at vespers (devotions) in the quiet evenings beside the lake were especially meaningful, and made quite an impression on my young heart.

Camp Galilee is located in the mountains near Terra Alta (which means, “high ground”), West Virginia. When I was 15, I attended a special week called the Outdoor Living Group. Living outside in the woods, we slept in tents, cooked all our meals and washed the dishes over an open campfire, and even dug our own latrines (bathrooms)!

On some afternoons, we would take long hikes through the dense (thick) forest. Those mountain trails were rocky and even dangerous in some places. There was some risk involved, but we weren’t afraid because our leaders were excellent guides and always knew where we all were going. The Holy Spirit is like that-He always knows the right path for us to take. He will guard our steps and protect us from harm.

But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, He will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is (John 16:13, The Message Bible).

The word for “guide” in this verse means, “to show the way.” Let the Holy Spirit lead you and direct your steps (Rom. 8:14).

Did you ever have an important decision to make, and didn’t know what to do or to say? The Holy Spirit will show you the way. Wise King Solomon gave us all some great advice (this is one of my favorite verses for young people).

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 (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJ).

In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success (Proverbs 3:5-6, TLB).

Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go, He’s the One who will keep you on track (Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message Bible).

FURTHER RESOURCE: You can order I Am Not Afraid of My Future online at www.Kelleyvarner.org/online-store/ or by calling 910.324.5026