The Christian's path is often very rough. Thorns and briers grow on either side, dark clouds hang over it, and no cheering prospects appear to animate the heart.
But if he acts consistently, he still believes it is the right path — that trials are mercies in disguise, and that the path of tribulation ends in the kingdom of God.
I can testify to this: Jesus carried me during the most difficult times of my life. It was not my own power that made me overcome. 🙏
Smith describes the rough path — thorns, dark clouds, no cheering prospects. And Le testifies from the other side: Jesus carried me. Not helped. Not assisted. Not encouraged from the sidelines. Carried. Murray said it: absolutely impossible with men. Le confirms it: it was not my own power. The overcoming was real — but the Overcomer was Someone else.
He believes it is all needful — the very best way his Father could select; that the design of God is gracious, and his present trials are to end in his eternal welfare.
He believes his God is with him, though he does not enjoy His presence, and that all needful supplies will be sent, though he cannot tell from where.
It was all needful and the very best way for me. It taught me to let go of myself and trust in God. 🙏
Some people need to be taught the difference between the world and the kingdom of God. My trials, thankfully, taught me the difference. 🙏
Smith says the pilgrim believes the path is all needful and the very best way. Le says: I know it was — because it taught me to let go of myself. The letting go that only comes when the hands have nothing left to hold onto but Him. The trials were not obstacles to faith. The trials were the classroom where faith was learned. And the lesson they taught — the difference between the world and the kingdom — is a lesson that cannot be learned in comfort. It can only be learned on the rough path.
He rests on the faithful Word, trusts in an unchangeable God, and says, when surrounded by trials:
"None of these things move me. I know that it is through much tribulation that I must enter the kingdom. My God will support me, His hand will defend me, and His grace shall be glorified in my present and eternal salvation.
I know not the way, but my God knows, and He will lead me. He will never leave me, but will be my guide, even unto death."
You can't just say His hand will defend me without seeing His hand defending you from your hardships.
His hand is sublime and powerful. I have seen it move mountains in my life. That is when you can say with confidence: His hand will defend me. 🙏
Le draws the line between words and witness. Smith writes: His hand will defend me. Le says: you can't just say that without seeing it. The saying without the seeing is recitation. The saying after the seeing is testimony. And the difference is everything. The hand that is sublime and powerful — Le has watched it move. Not in a book. Not in someone else's story. In her life. The confidence tonight is not the confidence of theology memorized. It is the confidence of mountains moved and witnessed.
My faith is not blind. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of my faith. 🙏
✦ The Author and Finisher
Hebrews 12:2 — looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Le closes with the declaration that holds the whole entry together: my faith is not blind. The world calls faith blind. The philosopher calls it irrational. The skeptic calls it wishful thinking. And the pilgrim who has walked the rough path, been carried through the darkest valleys, watched mountains move, and learned in her own body the difference between the world and the kingdom — says: my faith is not blind.
It is not blind because the Author is visible — in the Word, in the morning, in the carrying. It is not blind because the Finisher will complete what He began — Philippians 1:6. The faith was authored by Jesus. The faith will be finished by Jesus. The pilgrim did not invent it, cannot sustain it alone, and will not complete it by her own power. It was never her faith. It was always His — given to her, carried in her, and one day completed in her.
That is why she walks. Not by sight. By faith. And the faith is not blind. 🙏
"My faith is not blind. Jesus is the Author and Finisher of my faith."
Le · Brioux-sur-Boutonne, France · June 11, 2026 · Hebrews 12:2Jesus Carried Me
Not helped. Not assisted. Carried. During the most difficult times. It was not my own power that made me overcome. The Overcomer was Someone else.
Trials Were the Classroom
All needful. The very best way. It taught me to let go of myself and trust in God. My trials taught me the difference between the world and the kingdom.
I Have Seen It Move
His hand is sublime and powerful. You can't just say it without seeing it. The confidence comes after the witnessing. Mountains moved. Not in a book. In my life.
Author and Finisher
My faith is not blind. Jesus authored it and Jesus will finish it. The faith was never mine to invent or sustain. It was always His — given, carried, and one day completed.