The Critical Thinker – The Pathway: The Fear of Embarking on an Unexpected Journey

Some journeys quiet the mind but leave the soul unrested. Recently, I found myself on such a path while watching a police serial movie—an experience meant for rest, yet incapable of touching the deeper places within. Still, these moments have their place, granting the writer a pause before returning to the servitude of the nib.

Within the unfolding scenes, two lines emerged—deliberately emphasized by the producers and skillfully delivered by the actors. They were meant to engage the viewer, but instead, they awakened the writer. From them, the nib found its inspiration.

“In an investigation, assumptions kill!” 

Reading and studying the Bible—God’s Word—I have realised one important thing. First, there is a journey and a process of learning, a continual discovery and deepening understanding of the wonderful work of God. Not enough Christians have come to this conclusion. Many are deceived into thinking that by reading Scripture once or twice, and grasping some understanding of a verse, they can be called teachers. Some are even bolder and attribute to themselves titles such as prophet and apostle.

It is a shame to see how they behave and what service they render to Christ. It is less than minimal—often completely absent—yet they shine and boast in their ability to deceive people into a false understanding of God’s precepts. Please do not take this the wrong way: these individuals are not necessarily the most famous. They are among us, living ordinary lives.

Secondly, when diving into the Scriptures, it is essential to have the right mind, heart, and soul. Some use God as a genie. Others merely talk to God. There is also a category of people who are bored with God because they believe they already know so much about Him. But God is none of the above. He is not our spare wheel. He is the Almighty Creator, the Giver and Sustainer of life.

We do not truly talk to God—He speaks unto us, even when we are at the lowest point in our lives. If you remember Jonah in the fish’s belly, God was speaking unto him. One may argue that Jonah does all the talking and crying from the belly of the fish. However, God’s silence, and His allowance of Jonah’s chastisement, is the clearest and loudest message God was speaking then—and continues to speak today—to every mere Christian.

Lastly, believing that what you know about God is sufficient, to the point that you are no longer motivated to know more, proves a failure to apply that knowledge to your life. It is one thing to know, and another entirely to live by what is known.

Therefore, wherever you are today, be alerted by this line: “In an investigation, assumptions kill!” I would go even further. In reading and studying God’s Word, our presuppositions can direct us toward false conclusions about God. They can destroy us, little by little.

I encourage you to stop and reflect. Consider how your assumptions about God may have shaped—and possibly distorted—your understanding of who He is. This is highly important. We should be alert to this, and even concerned.

I know this from experience. Each time I imposed an assumption upon the Bible, my conclusions became corrupted. More than that, I noticed that the learning process was led by me alone, and not by God through the Holy Spirit and His holy Word. This later led me to realise that I was not only being dishonest, but deceiving myself.

I came to see that there was a lack of humility, and the presence of pride. I concluded that since wisdom dwells in a humble heart, pride must depart. It was not easy, but God is the One who empowered me to be transformed into His likeness—to become teachable, easy to be entreated, and ultimately to allow Wisdom to lead my learning process.

“In an investigation, details matter!” 

On the pathway of wisdom are many treasures, and wealth is abundant. Moreover, there is an eternal spring of heavenly blessings awaiting those who seek to walk this path. Yet the challenge remains: how does one step onto it? Motivation matters, and what drives an individual is key to reaching the sage destination. Before embarking upon this path, Wisdom asks for one thing only—to fear God. That is the first step before walking.

In the book of Proverbs, the preacher Solomon depicts Wisdom as a person. And indeed, Wisdom is more than a person. What amazes me most is that, if Wisdom is a person, then I can have a relationship with Wisdom. Therefore, the return grows richer day by day, always to my benefit and profit.

Why, then, would I not desire such a deeply personal relationship—one through which I grow into a complete individual, lacking nothing? In the day of desolation, my strength and my armour is Wisdom. It may sound great, but it is even better than it sounds. For the person depicted as Wisdom by King Solomon is Jesus Himself.

From ancient times, we hear the echo of Wisdom’s call even today—crying aloud in the most public places, urging all to choose Wisdom. Yet that cry fades as society drifts further and further away from God. It is not that the pleading lacks strength to convince humanity; rather, it is stiffened ears and docile minds that reject the call. Many would rather listen to and obey the illusion of self-sufficiency, believing that God has no role within—or beyond—society and human existence.

Reading the book of Proverbs, we discover that Wisdom does not only cry out to call people, but also foretells what will come upon those who refuse to listen and obey the sage’s voice.

Proverbs 1:7 (KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

This is an astonishing statement. More than that, it is an objective promise and a prophecy. The moment that caused me to drop my guard and truly fear God was the realisation that the fear of the LORD is only the beginning of wisdom. Upon reflecting on this truth, I concluded that the journey never ends. Who, then, would refuse to embark upon such a path? Only the fool and the simple man would do so.

With this in mind, I desire to encourage anyone to challenge their self-sufficiency by testing Wisdom’s claim—that in her ways are satisfaction and fulfilment beyond what words can define. That is why, in the silence of the night, I write these thoughts. Not because I have attained wisdom yet—it remains my goal and my desire. It is my pursuit and, in many ways, my calling. I continue patiently, searching for deeper understanding and greater wisdom.

In spiritual discernment, details are not minor—they are decisive. Who God is, how He speaks, and the posture with which we approach Him are not secondary matters. When these details are overlooked, wisdom is misidentified, Scripture is misread, and conclusions are distorted. Just as in any investigation, neglecting the details does not merely weaken understanding—it leads it astray.

Now, have you noticed the details? Before walking, one must first acknowledge Who they will walk with—and for how long. People may hold many opinions about God, but the Bible provides clear guidance and a concise revelation of who He is, and what He is able to fulfil within our lives.

Walking on…

Each individual is given a pathway to walk in this life, and every step taken upon it bears consequence beyond this world. The path we choose now shapes what awaits us afterward. Yet it has become increasingly common to believe there is no afterlife at all. If that were truly so, why does the human heart continually reach for more, rather than settle for less? This restless longing is not accidental; it is a quiet witness that we were made for something beyond the present moment.

Scripture does not leave this longing unanswered. The Bible reveals an even greater hope for the believer in Christ—eternal life. Still, many neither possess it nor desire it. This is not because the truth lacks clarity or strength, but because of the pathway they have chosen to walk. That path gradually blinds the mind, until discernment fades and the difference between right and wrong grows dim.

I desire to enter the afterlife when my time comes—not as soon as possible, but as late as God allows. Not because I fear what is to come, but because I do not wish to arrive alone. I long to walk this path with my family, my friends, and as many souls as God will place along the way—even those I may never meet. Until then, we are called to walk the earthly road that leads there.

To step onto this pathway is an open invitation. To remain on it is an invitation marked by fulfilment, perseverance, and growth. Along the way, signs are left behind—not of our own greatness, but of growing in Christ, shaped by Wisdom, and guided by truth. This is the path where assumptions are laid aside, details are attended to, and discernment is formed in humility.

“…and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
— Colossians 2:2b–3 (KJV)

Here, the pathway, the Wisdom, and the destination meet. To walk with Christ is to walk toward life itself. The invitation remains open—but walking requires a choice, and wisdom begins with taking the first step.