There's no knowing where we're going...Or how to live in faith

I was thinking today about the Roald Dahl classic "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Specifically the scene where during the tour of the factory Mr. Wonka, Charlie, his grandfather and the other guests careen through the darkness at top speed in a giant boat made from a hollowed out pink boiled sweet. During the voyage, as the guests fear for their lives, Mr. Wonka is patently unconcerned and the Oompa Loompas sing another song. Some of the lyrics of which are:

There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing
Or which way the river's flowing

At times, especially recently, I feel like a passenger on that boat. Screaming (at least emotionally) and in fear for my life. Completely wound up about things that I have no control or influence over.

It's not my boat
It's not my chocolate river
I've never sailed on it before

Yet somehow, I'm quite convinced that I'm going to die and that the people with experience in this situation are all crazy. I hold on to the idea that I must know best, in spite of a host of evidence that says otherwise.

Recently, I've committed to a new journey. I've given notice at work and at my apartment in order to move away and go to school.

 I've made this decision and taken those actions on faith and with the belief that this is the path I'm being guided on. I made this choice and took those steps in a moment of boldness and faith. This was quickly followed by fear and an overwhelming list of practical things which now need to be done.

Once again, I'm reminded that the challenge of believing in possibility and living in faith is not in making a bold statement or choice. It's in all the small steps before and after. It's in maintaining a course on a river I don't know under a starless sky and believing that the Power which brought me to this point will see me through to the end. And if I forget in one moment, that's ok too. I can remind myself of these things in the next.

So, once more, I take time to remind myself:

• Life is a journey, not a destination
• Not all answers are required in this moment
• My job is to take right action based on right intention.
• I cannot live in the future.
• I can make reasonable plans for the future, but must live in the present.
• I will do the best I can, with what I have at the time.
• It will all be all right in the end, because it cannot be anything but.
• Above all else I will be grateful and I will express that gratitude in all that I do.