A Sure Guide

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake them.  Isaiah 42:16

Where did we get the idea that following the Lord meant we would know exactly where we were headed all of the time?   In this passage, among many others, the indication is that the leading is His prerogative and direction.    Many Christians believe that ministers should follow the Lord's leading and direction for their lives, but that the average, garden-variety Christian does not have that responsibility.  Not so.

When Jesus called the first disciples, He told them to "Come Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men."  Most of us are uncomfortable with letting the Lord lead us.  We want to weigh out our options and formulate a plan that makes sense to us.  But the call is still the same. 

This is a beautiful passage of Scripture.  It reminds us that as the Lord leads us, He is turning on the light before us.  He is clearing a path for us to follow.  We are in a covenant relationship with Him and he is affirming that He will carry out His side.  He will not leave us without help and direction.  He will go before us and protect us.  He will give us provision.  He is a faithful God!

Our modern society is not really conducive to this level of God's leadership.  Most of us are strapped to a ridiculous amount of debt and can see no way to leave behind steady income to follow a leading of the Lord. That was never his intent for his children.  The idea of being overly extended with debt is our invention.  And not a good one!  Think for a moment of what all you could do for the kingdom if you did not have debt hanging over your head?  What difference would it make if you were not overly committed with your schedule to where every night of the week is spoken for already? 

Our time is short.  There is much to do!  Pray and ask the Lord what areas of your life that He would have you free up so that you can follow Him more willingly.  Ask the Lord to show you the places that you still govern, rather than allowing Him to lead you.  Come on!  An adventure awaits you!

Dear Lord, thank you for your loving and steadfast guidance.  Thank you for being a sure protector for me.  Show me the areas of my life where I am not allowing you to lead.  In Jesus' Name. Amen.'