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Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, Following God’s Lead, teaches us the importance of submitting to His will.
Show Notes: Following God’s Lead
God is in the GPS business. No, we don’t have an external guidance system that we can carry around with us, to help direct our steps in God’s way. Or do we? God has given us His Word in the form of a Bible, full of wisdom and knowledge to light our path every day.
Jesus mentions an internal GPS in John 16:13; “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Jesus says the Holy Spirit will guide us, tell us what He hears, and things to come. After we give our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and we can pray and ask for wisdom, knowledge, and guidance.
What a promise. What a privilege. There is one problem, though. When we receive wisdom, knowledge, and guidance, we must submit to God’s will. I have a tendency to mention to God what I want and then hope He will line up His will with mine. I mean, I’m a Christian and if I have an idea, it’s probably good. I’m not trying to make things difficult or go against what the Bible says.
But when it comes down to it, I want my way. I don’t need help. Period.
Jeff Walling says: “…God wants to take our scheduling pen in his hand, but only when we admit that we can’t handle it on our own. But once again, it is often my ego that stands between me and this all-important admission…But we will never be able to follow the lead of the Lord while believing we don’t need his leading. Like a drowning swimmer who doesn’t believe he’s drowning, we can’t be saved until we acknowledge our own inadequacy. And God refuses to force me to surrender. I must choose freely to do so, based on the knowledge that I am desperately in need of his hand on my rudder.”
Ow. That’s me. Self-sufficient. Sometimes, I sound like a toddler who yells, “I do it myself.” If I allow God or anyone else to “assist” me, then I don’t get the credit and applause that I so crave. The truth is I am trying to receive confidence and worth through things I do instead of the One who is waiting to bestow confidence and worth on me that comes from knowing God and being His child.
And that’s what following His lead is all about:
- It’s following His wisdom and guidance instead of what we think we know.
- It’s surrendering to His way instead of following our own system.
- It’s asking for His schedule instead of trying to figure out our own.
What does it all boil down to? Trusting God. Believing that He has a plan and purpose for our lives. Knowing that He is good and longs to give good things to His children. No matter what we see.
I tend to be so afraid of “missing” it. Missing what He says to me. The direction He’s pointing. Sometimes, many times, my life is busy. Family. Caregiving. Job. Church. Writing. Podcasting. Life. Can I really hear when He speaks to me? Whether it is that still, small voice, or a message through a person, an event, or a song.
There are many scriptures comforting us with the thought that God cares for us much more than we can imagine. Isaiah 49:15-16 is one of my favorites. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.”
If we miss Him, He will find us. Luke 15:4-6 says:
“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”
If we’re seeking God, following Him as best we know how He is truly for us.
Let’s pray: Father God, thank you for having a plan and purpose for each of our lives. We long to follow Your lead, but sometimes our flesh gets in the way. We love You and know that You will continually draw us through the Holy Spirit, even when we are stubborn. Thank you for the gift of Your Spirit. Lead us, guide us, direct us, giving us wisdom and knowledge as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
It’s important to follow God’s lead, and the Holy Spirit will show us the way.
Today’s featured author is Leanne Lucas, author of When Skies Are Gray, a children’s historical novel. When Lizzy’s father leaves during the Depression, no one expects him to stay away forever. Two years later, no one expects him to return. But Daddy is back, and he’s running from the law. Lizzy realizes her decision to help the father she still loves might come with a price. Learn more at leannelucas.com.
Next week, we’ll learn how to dance in spite of our circumstances. Until then, stay determined to dance.
Links
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Following God’s Lead
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
