FOLLOW GOD’S LEAD

Doesn’t it often seem that we are constantly on the go, with our agendas dictated by what we believe we need to accomplish within a specific time frame? Perhaps you even make a list like I do to keep you on track. Don’t we often have certain people we need to find and connect with even when attending church services?

While all those things are necessary, ponder how many times do you pause and notice the…

…person sitting alone in the last pew at church?

…coworker who appears upset?

…one at the grocery store who purposely avoids eye contact?

…homeless person on the street in need?

 

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.  –Psalm 32:8  (NIV)

Life is much better when we relinquish control of our days to God. He promises to lead the moments of our days because He knows how everything fits together to accomplish His will in and through our lives. God loves us so much that He is always ready to give us advice when we open ourselves to ask and listen to Him.

 

Photo courtesy of Baptist Union of Great Britain under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

 

With this Scripture in mind, what if instead of just following our daily plans, we go about our days being open to God’s connections and asking,

“God, who do You want me to see today?”

 

Maybe God wants to use you to…

…let that person in the last pew know they are valued.

…provide an understanding heart for the coworker to share.

…offer a friendly “good morning” to that person who tried to avoid eye contact.

…give some money to the homeless person for a meal.

 

What do we accomplish when we ask God who HE wants us to see today?

*We live with intentionality.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  –Ephesians 5:15-17   (NIV)

When Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have the privilege of knowing how He wants us to live. We want to follow His will as wise servants, helping those in need. Our time is spent seeking deeper communion with Jesus, being loved by Him, and then sharing that love with others. Our lives are not ours; we know our lives are about sharing Jesus.

*We choose to depend on God.

I depend on God alone; I put my hope in him. He alone protects and saves me; he is my defender, and I shall never be defeated. My salvation and honor depend on God; he is my strong protector; he is my shelter.  –Psalm 62:5-7  (GNT)

As our faith in God grows, we see the goodness of God in everything that builds our trust in Him. Our roots grow deeper as we depend on Him to get us through, especially the difficult times. God is our refuge and shelter. He is always there leading and guiding us if we are open to following.

*We let God into our ordinary lives.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.  –Psalm 46:10-11  (NIV)

It is pivotal when we recognize that God is not just somewhere up in heaven but rather He is a part of our everyday lives. We can experience His presence in the ordinary parts of our days and when we take a few minutes to just be still and seek Him. If we are attuned, we will experience God in others, and they will experience Him in us.

 

Even if we are homebound and do not see people often, though hungering for interaction with others, the question, the prayer is still valid,

“God, who do You want me to see today?”

God might be encouraging you to reach out to someone via a phone call, a text message, or an email. You might be the bright spot in their life that particular day.

Spoiler alert: Some days when you ask,

“God, who do You want me to see today?”

you might be privileged to hear Him answer “ME!” Sometimes God wants us to slow down and spend quality time with Him. He longs to be our best friend and is always waiting for us to talk with Him, to share our deepest desires and happenings in our lives. That is God’s goodness for us, His beloved children.

 

Photo courtesy of NettieBee Pics under Creative Commons License (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Be encouraged this week to…

…consciously ask God throughout your day, “God, who do You want me to see today?”

…live with intentionality, making the most of every opportunity that presents itself.

…work on depending on God above all else.

…experience God in the ordinary of life, whether you are with a room full of people or alone.

…listen for God calling you to spend time with only Him.

 

REFLECTION:

Are you willing to be more open to God’s connections?
Which of the three accomplishments above do you need to work on to let God in more?

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.  –Isaiah 30:21  (NLT)