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Choose to follow God instead of lead him

2/27/2019

1 Comment

 
There are three major points in choosing to follow God instead of leading Him.  Your compass can be calibrated. You don’t have to stay on the path you have started. Things people say about you can be changed and you don’t have to be the same person you once were. Being in front is more work. The Geese have figured this out, which is why they rotate. When we talk about enjoying life and having fun, why do we take on burdens that are not ours? Why would we lead the all-powerful King of the universe when we could follow more easily instead? Tunnel vision makes you miss the horizon. When we are so focused on what we think should be happening, we are missing what is happening. It’s horrible to miss out and you don’t have to let that happen. 

“Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.”
Psalm 27:11 NIV

Point 1 - Your compass can be calibrated.

“You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.”
Job 42:3-6, 10-12 NIV

Point 2 - Being in front is more work.    

So often I find myself being tempted to tell God how to work instead of waiting for him to tell me. I understand the natural propensity to push God, but the progress comes from stillness and quiet instead of a forward crunch.

“But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah had gone out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.”
Jonah 4:1-5 NIV

Point 3 - Tunnel vision makes you miss the horizon.  

Our fleshly desire clouds judgement and wisdom. When we are so focused on the exact outcome we predict in our minds to be the best, typically we miss the best blessing.

“In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. She was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
So Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon, who was lying down. She took some dough, kneaded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it.
But when she took it to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, “Come to bed with me, my sister.”
But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he raped her.”
2 Samuel 13:1-2, 8, 11, 14 NIV

We don’t want to get into the place where we can’t see straight. Choose to follow God instead of lead God and remember the three important points.

1. Your compass can be calibrated. 
 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

2. Being in front is more work. So follow the call instead.
“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
Romans 8:30 NIV

3.  Tunnel vision makes you miss the horizon. 
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
Ephesians 4:1 NIV
​

Walk with God, dance together in harmony. Remember you don’t lead, you follow. 
1 Comment
rushessay link
11/25/2019 01:05:16 am

Ephesians 4:1 NIV makes me released even more that God has his own unique plans for each and everyone of us. That's why we need to trust Him with everything that He wants us to do. If ever we are put in a situation where we do not understand everything and we tend to be surrounded with a lot off questions, just pray. Making a connection with Him will always be the best option to do and He will be happy to talk to you in regards with fears and doubts that you have. All you need to do is to be open.

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    Philip Lukens is the senior pastor of the Carr Community Church. To receive updates please enter your e-mail address below and click subscribe.

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