I'm learning a lot about myself these days, specifically that I'm one of those control freaks who needs to know what's going to happen. I want to see everything that lies ahead. I don't like the unknown. I never have enjoyed surprises and find some kind of comfort in thinking I can control things. What a load of nonsense! Even those who claim clairvoyance cannot see the future with any certainty.

Sure, modern technology has made it possible to predict the movement of the stock market, the weather, future prices of oil, orange juice and hog bellies (what's up with the hog bellies, anyway?), but predictions are only educated guesses. No matter who you are, what your circumstances are, where you live or what you do, every morning, every one of us must step out in faith, moving forward into the unknown to experience what life has for us.

Years ago, my husband and I were driving through California's Mojave Desert at night on our way across the country. It was my turn to drive while he slept. What struck me in the black stillness of the night was that my headlights were not lighting the entire way. Those two beams of light lit up the area just in front of us, only about 50 feet. As I moved into that light, the light moved ahead just a little bit more, lighting the way to our destination a little bit at a time. That's what Stormie is talking about.

As we move through the days of our lives, we receive just the amount of insight we need for the next step. It's because of faith that we can step into the darkness of the future, knowing that the light always will go before us.

What are the challenges you face today? Perhaps you're out of work, wondering when you will land a job. Your finances may be in such a mess you're terrified to face the day. A loved one may be facing a devastating prognosis, or perhaps you have a child going through deep waters as you stand by, unable to make a rescue.

Whatever your circumstances, you have to move forward and into the darkness, knowing with certainty that God will give you just the amount of light you need for that next step. Then you take another step and another, all the way into and through the darkness. That's called faith -- stepping out into the darkness, knowing we will have just the amount of light we need for the step we're on.

This is a wonderful day. Step out in faith, dear friend.

Mary Hunt is the founder of DebtProofLiving.com and author of 17 books, including "Debt-Proof Living." You can e-mail her at mary@everydaycheapskate.com, or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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