Being Sensitive To God’s Leading
As I grow in the faith I realize the importance of not just paying lip service to following God’s leading in my life. It’s easy to say, “I believe this is where God is leading me,” and yet I know that it very well could be what I want and not what God wants. Sometimes I find myself saying, “God, I thought for sure that’s where you wanted me;” but deep down, when I’m truly honest with myself, I know that He was telling me where to go and what to do, but I was set on paving my own way. I find myself inviting Jesus into my kingdom instead of realizing that He has called me into His.
I’m am comforted that God’s leading and direction of my life is not in my hands, because I know if it were I’m doomed to failure. The question I must continually ask myself is if I truly believe that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God” (Rom 8:28), and that I must “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2). This truths are what keep me realizing that I am still in a process of sanctification and that I haven’t finished the race yet.
Jesus tells His believers that He is “with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mat 28:20). It’s time to make this orthodox conviction translate into orthopraxy.
“The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” — Solomon
“I find myself inviting Jesus into my kingdom instead of realizing that He has called me into His.”
A good reminder for us all.
Hi Chris Poteet. We need to hang out some time.… a trip to Cincy? Maybe camping? I haven’t been to your website in forever, but I will catch up!
Ditto on Perry’s thoughts. Wow! When I read that, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Profound, yet so simple.
ah, one of the best things ever is to watch a castle (which is, oh by the way, made of sand) that you created in your own strength crushed under the wave of God’s sovereignty…
I’m a bit confused. Are you saying that no matter if we do God’s will or don’t know what it is or if we just don’t do it that God will make it all work for good? For us or for His purpose? Both? It just sounds like molding God around the ignorant results of our sometimes apathetic searching. Or is it that we eventually submit to God’s will though sometimes painfully, like Jonah? But maybe that’s not what you are saying at all.
Either way, starting from God’s promises is a great thing. Gotta love Romans.
Yes, Jonah as you mentioned would be such an example. I’m honestly a little confused by your comment. Maybe you could clarify a little more?
Chris, I smiled when I read your entry because I was much older that you when I came to these conclusions. Following God’s leading is more difficult than most people realize because self keeps getting in the way.
I take great comfort in the knowledge that God knows my heart for Him, He knows my blunders…He knows that I am not perfect and never will be in this life. Yes Jessica, if God has predestined you to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, then He will make it all work together for good. Sometimes that process is quite painful, but in my experience the greatest pains in my life have eventually resulted in the greatest blessings…even when that pain came out of disobedience or charting my own course. That is the grace of God.