BLIND but skiing at highway speed

In the Paralympics we can watch an amazing feat: totally blind skiers hurtling down slopes at highway speeds. How can they achieve such a feat?

Visually impaired and totally blind skiers are guided by a sighted team mate who calls changes in direction and terrain changes, either by voice signals or by radio communication, but no physical contact is allowed during the race. The guide must ski in front of a visually impaired skier but can ski either in front of or behind a totally blind skier.  They participate in both downhill speed events and slalom courses.

This requires intensive team work.  Their jackets may identify them as ’blind skier’ and ’guide’ but it is not really a matter of skier and guide.  It is not two individual skiers, but two working together as one.  It requires TOTAL TRUST on the part of the skier and TOTAL DEPENDABILITY on the part of the guide. 

Guiding is not an easy job. A guide has to be totally committed to the task, as even a fraction of a second distraction could cause a serious accident for the blind skier. The guide has to be able to ski faster and better, even at high speeds, while at the same time concentrating 100% on his team mate.

As a blood-bought, adopted child of the living God, I can relate to the blind skier.  No – certainly not physically – but on a spiritual level, there are many similarities.
My Guide, of course, is Holy Spirit. The Word of God promises me that He will guide me always, and in the 55 of my 77 years that I have known, loved and served my loving heavenly Father, through the Lord Jesus Christ, He has never failed – and indeed He CANNOT fail.

I AM BLIND
if I depend on my own thoughts, understanding and desires.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is eternal death

Ephesians 2:2
Contemporary English Version [CEV] 
You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil.
He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone
who doesn’t obey God.

 I HAVE A GUIDE
who is fully qualified, who is totally dependable,
who will never lead me astray, who will direct me without fail

John 16:13  [CEV] 
The Spirit shows what is true
and will come and guide you into the full truth.

 I MUST TRUST
my Guide implicitly and follow His instructions with no deviation

Psalm 37:5  New American Standard Bible
Commit your way to the Lord,  Trust also in Him, and He will do it.

Proverbs 3:5-7   [CEV]
With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment.   Always let him lead you,  and he will clear the road for you to follow.
Don’t ever think that you are wise enough,
but respect the Lord  and stay away from evil.

Psalm 18:30, 32  New King James Version
As for God, His way is perfect.
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

When we cannot see our way,
Let us trust and still obey;
He who bids us forward go
Cannot fail the way to show.
(Thomas Kelly)