I woke up the other morning with a phrase on my mind, smoke and mirrors. Something told me there was a tango coming.

I got out of bed and headed for my computer to look the phrase up. The Cambridge Business English Dictionary defined smoke and mirrors as “an explanation or description that is not true or not complete and used to hide the truth about a situation.” It gets you to concentrate on things that are not real.

Looking back at my journal for that morning, what was coming up in my spirit was that the enemy of our souls is working hard to deceive our sons and daughters into thinking they are something they are not!!! I began to ask the Spirit of Truth to have His way in this tango that was about to present itself.

Something I am learning is when the tango is fierce, Jesus is revealing Himself in a new and more powerful way.  Although it’s not easy, I can trust Him in it even when it’s dark and smoky.

The smoke of lies clouds our ability to see things as they really are. It inhibits our ability to breathe the fresh air God has given us and hinders our capacity to see the truth. When smoke fills our lungs, it’s difficult to have the capacity to stay in the tango.

But there is good news. “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, the Berean Study Bible) So what’s the precursor for the truth setting you free.  Staying in God’s Word and being His disciple.

There are responsibilities and privileges that come with being Jesus’ disciple. Some of these are highlighted in a blog, 7 Verses That Call Us To Be Disciples of Jesus.  I love it in John 8:12 when Jesus promises “if we follow Him we will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life”. So it’s a choice.

One of my very favorite verses on this subject is 1 Corinthians 2:16 in the Amplified Bible.“For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord to guide and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. [Isa. 40:13.]”  Now that my friend is good news!!

I don’t know about you, but I much prefer a path that is well lit than one that is scary dark. I can walk in confidence knowing that His Spirit is guiding me as I follow Him.

Which path are you on?  Sometimes you can lose the lighted path when following Jesus gets hard.  Perseverance will see you through and joy is waiting on the other side!