Follow the Leader

A friend gave me some very wise and appreciated advice the other day.

We were talking about my excitement about the direction God is taking my ministry and I mentioned how ready I was to fully embrace the “whole enchilada.”  You see, my heart’s desire is to be fully engaged in my calling.

“God, I’m ready for it ALL now!“

But she stopped me and said, “Carey, be careful to let God lead YOU rather than you taking the lead.  Trust in His timing and know that He will open the right doors at the right time.  Let Him lead…”

Wow.  Talk about a buzz-kill.  😉

Actually, I appreciated her honesty and ability to speak this HUGE truth into my life.  I needed to hear that.  And to be honest, she was spot on.

We all need to take her advice and learn to follow the Leader!  Our lives make more sense and are more manageable when we allow God to shepherd us.  It’s not only good advice, it’s Biblical.

Psalm 23:1a says, “The Lord is my shepherd…“

You know, shepherds have quite a job.  It’s their responsibility to lead the sheep in their care and meet all their needs.

• When they need to drink, he leads them to water.
• When they need to graze, he leads them to green pastures.
• When they are in danger of predators, he protects them fiercely.
• When it bed-time, he watches over them as they sleep.

It isn’t easy to get these gregarious and cantankerous creatures to obey and submit to his authority, but once they learn their master’s voice… they listen well.  He leads and they follow.

We must learn to do the same.

My friend’s advice coupled with this scripture offered me peace.  Peace in knowing that in His timing and according to His will… God will present me with the next “opportunity.”

I just have to follow His leading.

If I jump ahead and start to execute MY plans in MY timing… I am without the protection of the Shepherd which leaves me in dangerous territory.  Not a good idea.

I wonder if today you are feeling anxious to move forward with that “something” and are becoming weary of waiting on God’s direction?  It just seems like a no-brainer to take that step out and make it happen yourself.

Be careful.

“Pray that the LORD your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”  (Jeremiah 42:3)

And.  He.  Will.