The role of a discipler looks a lot like the role of a guide. A guide helps us see the way forward. Sometimes we look at our lives and feel like we’re living “Groundhog Day” (a movie where Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again), caught in a rut of our own making.

Even so, most of us still struggle with how to live it. We feel lost despite the familiarity of our lives. We sense that we’re on a pilgrimage, but struggle to see where the next mile marker is or where we’re going. We need a guide. But like most men, we don’t want to admit that we need to ask for directions.

A guide has not been the entire way down the path on which we’re walking, just a little further down it, perhaps, than we’ve walked. And as such, she’s got a vision for where we need to be going. She has avoided a few wrong turns in the path and can help us do the same.

Paul says to “imitate me.” He’s stubbed his toe on a few rocks and roots along the path; he’s saying “watch me as I step over them and you do the same.”

Guides know that while we may feel stuck in Groundhog Day, as we practice God’s presence and tune our ears to what the Holy Spirit is saying, we begin to trust him more as the ultimate guide who will always be there along life’s path.

We all need guides – if you’re wondering about the path ahead, it’s a good idea to look for one.