Yoder: Finding Our Way Home
By Kathy Yoder
As I drove along a familiar stretch of road, one I’ve traveled countless times, I expected the usual: quiet fields, the occasional train rumbling by, and maybe a groundhog scurrying across the grass. But around the last curve, something unexpected caught my eye. An animal darted alongside the railroad tracks in broad daylight. At first, I mistook it for a groundhog, but its size, color, and distinctive paddle-like tail, held straight and parallel to the ground, revealed it to be a young beaver.
I’d never seen a beaver run before, and I was astonished by its speed. No waddle, no hesitation—just a blur of motion, as if it were sprinting in an Olympic race. To me, it seemed lost, its frantic pace betraying a desperate search for home. Far from the Missouri River, with no other beavers in sight, it ran alone in a world that must have felt vast and unfamiliar.
As I watched, I thought of my own moments of feeling lost, like when I’ve wandered through life’s challenges, unsure of my next step. I couldn’t help but think of how many of us, where I live and beyond, run just as frantically. Like the beaver, we race forward, hearts pounding, unsure of where we’re headed. We may not recognize the landmarks around us or know what’s truly important. Some of us feel a void but can’t name it. Others, like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16–30, come face-to-face with Jesus but don’t fully grasp who He is—the Savior who can guide us home.
The rich young ruler asked the right question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” But he stumbled in three ways. First, he believed he could earn his way to salvation, much like the beaver running faster in hopes of finding home. Second, he thought he’d kept all the commandments, unwilling to admit his sin. We must acknowledge we’re lost before we can be found. Third, he saw Jesus as a “good teacher” but not as God Himself. When Jesus told him to sell everything and follow Him, the ruler walked away sad, clinging to his wealth—his false sense of security.
Today, many of us are like the rich young ruler, holding tightly to the things of this world—wealth, status, or control—while running aimlessly. Even believers, like me when I’ve faced trials, can feel disoriented in a confusing world, searching for direction. But unlike the beaver, we don’t have to keep running. We can stop, turn to Jesus, and find our true landmark. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), guiding us home to eternal peace.
Whether you’re far from God or a believer feeling lost in your town’s bustling or sleepy streets, Jesus is the answer. Admit you need Him, let go of what holds you back, whatever that may be, and follow Him. He will lead you home.
Kathy Yoder is a devotional writer and Christian author from Sioux City, Iowa. She may be reached at kathyyoder4@gmail.com and Kathyyoder.com.
