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All too often our lives feel like a series of isolated events that don't correlate or make any sense.
We wake up each day, either expecting the best or expecting the worst, not knowing what’ll happen between the few hours that we get out of bed and climb back into bed.
Our intention is to follow God (and we very well may be), but we question His every move in our lives. Somehow, being led by Him starts to feel like walking in the dark; no view of the road ahead with an intense fear of falling.
"Where You lead me, I will follow. Where You place me, I will trust."
(click to tweet)
I tweeted this short prayer yesterday and after reading it and re-reading it a few times, I realize how powerful and relevant this prayer is.
It’s a declaration to follow and trust, which is much easier to say than do.
Think back to the story of Jesus and His disciples on the Sea of Galilee. (Matt 14:22-33) The disciples were on a boat when a raging storm came about. They looked across the sea and noticed a figure walking on the water! They thought it was a ghost (vs. 26). I imagine the disciples rubbed their eyes a few times to make sure that their eyes were not playing tricks on them. After recognizing that it was Jesus, Peter got excited and wanted to put Him to the test. So Jesus beckoned for Peter to come.
Peter believed and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. Wow.
But then, guess what happened? For just a few seconds, Peter’s fearful thoughts overcame him. I imagine He was thinking something like, “The wind is too strong! The waves may drown me. I’m afraid!”
He took his eyes off of Jesus and immediately began to sink. In that quick moment, because of the distraction of the storm, Peter removed his focus from Jesus to his present circumstances.
Focusing on the storm and not on Jesus caused Peter to fear, which led to doubt and disillusionment.
Isn’t it interesting that as soon as we begin focusing on our problems we get overwhelmed with fear, frustration, and doubt? We become disillusioned and begin to believe the situation is worse than it really is.
This is what Peter did.
He panicked.
Peter believed Jesus, obeyed Jesus, reached for him and then doubted him. As soon as he took his focus off of Jesus He almost drowned.
Do you see what happened here?
God guides us through life if we allow him to. Although most times we can’t see where we are going, when we maintain a steadfast focus on Him we are able and capable to do the impossible!
Contrarily, as soon as we let go of God’s hand removing our focus from Him to our problems, we panic and we fall.
Not only should we follow where God is leading us, it is important that we trust Him wherever we land.
As we trust, amidst obstacles and trials, we avoid delay. We can avoid being stuck in seasons that we should be coasting through.
We can avoid prolonging God’s plan for our lives if we don’t panic like Peter did. We can reach our God-ordained destination with confidence in knowing that we are right where He wants us to be.
Our walk with God doesn’t have to feel like a shot in the dark. We can be sure that He is leading us to a place of promise and fulfillment in Him.
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” - Psalms 37:23-24
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