I remember following a friend deep into a forest at night.

I didn’t know the way. And I was not alone. My whole family walked single file on this moonless evening. None of us had a flashlight. Focusing only on the white tennis shoes of our guide who knew the paths through the thick woods, we carefully placed our feet in the exact places he walked. It was our only hope of getting to our destination!

That’s the essence of this text: to follow in the footsteps of the wise ones who have gone before you.

Before you follow anyone, however, you must have a trustworthy source.

We’re surrounded by teachers, parents, and others who have walked the path of life before. So we listen to their stories as they remember the days of old. Next, we consider what they have told us. Where did it lead them — to a good place or bad? We ask questions to find out what they regret, where they made a wrong turn and got tangled up in consequences they didn’t really want. Once we can trust them, we can take a sure route to our destination choice.

Those who have gone before can help us find our way, too.