The Place of Unveiling

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.”” — Cor. i. 10.

First of all we see a pilgrim on a journey, keeping to the appointed path with vigilant fidelity. Then we see his spirit illumined as by some mystical dawn. An inward light appears ‘‘ which keeps the way before him always bright.” He enters into a fuller knowledge of God. And the great matter to notice is this — the revelation comes to him on the road. The holy light meets the traveller. We do not talk ourselves into the knowledge of the Lord; we walk into it. We start out for something, we venture upon some errand, we accept some commission of Christian service, and the enlightening ministry joins us on the road, and we become light in the Lord. “Light is sown for the righteous,” and they reap the shining harvest as they go along the way. We “walk worthy of the Lord,” and we thereby ‘‘ increase in the knowledge of God.” Yes, we walk into the larger day.

But there are great differences in the walkers, and therefore there are great differences in the measures of their spiritual knowledge and enlightenment. Mr. Fearing and Valiant-for-Truth were both on the same road, and they were going in the same direction, but what a contrast in the style

13 of their walking! Valiant-for-Truth had a fine stride as he swung along the road in purpose and song. Mr. Fearing was nervous and tremulous, uncertain about the Lord’s promises, and uncertain about the divine provision. The character of our walk has much to do with our enlightenment. Valiant-for-Truth was on the look-out for opportunities of service. His road was to him an unending series of possible doors. Mr. Fearing was looking for traps, and snares, and pit-falls! And so while Valiant-for-Truth stepped forward into an ever-brightening dawn, Mr. Fearing trudged along in perpetual twilight.

But if we are to walk into the light, our walk must not only be one of obedience; it must be one of communion. We must not only walk in love, we must walk with God, And in this travelling companionship we can both speak and listen. We must neither be deaf nor dumb. The great Companion, who walked with the two disciples to Emmaus, listened to them as they told him their disappointments and fears; and they listened to Him as He talked with them by the way. As they walked and talked their hearts began to glow with a strange burning. ‘‘ Did not our hearts burn within us?” And then the burning changed into a shining, and they knew Him; He was made known unto them in the breaking of bread. Walk and know!