LEADING

There are some kinds of leading that makes sense to everyone and no one gets confused over why you are following a giving direction or path. When that involves an employer or some other form of authority it is even easier since you can have the person check with the powers that be if they want an explanation.

Following the leading of the Holy Spirit isn't always something that lends itself to what is practical or common sense. One only has to look at some of the experiences of those mentioned in the scriptures to appreciate that God doesn't worry to much about how image in that regard.

I'm not sure that is important in many ways if we are truly living to trust the Lord. It might be hard on the ego or pride, but remembering that it is the Lord's opinion that really matters can strengthen us.

What can be an added burden is being sure one isn't translating personal bias as the leading of the Lord. One can see that so often where people translate the scriptures not by truth, but by their prejudice. Basically that God is either in favor or against whatever they happen to like or hate.

Being human though we will make mistakes including misunderstanding God's will in a given situation. And if we allow pride to prevent us from accepting when we make that kind of mistake we can end up stubbornly following a given path that we adamantly claim is God's leading even if it isn't.

Presently my wife and I are in the midst of a struggle in terms of one issue in our lives. And I have prayed and feel I know what is God's leading for the situation.

However on the surface it doesn't necessarily appear to be the most practical choice. Still, in my spirit and heart I feel the choice I need to make is truly the one the Lord desires.

So despite how it might affect me in certain ways, I have accepted the choice that lingers and will need to be made in due season. As for any possible consequences, well, that for me is just another area of life that must be surrendered to the Lord in faith.

About the only good thing I do know is that there is a difference in that regard between the now and eternity. That regardless of what appears to be the potential dangers of a given situation, it doesn't have much to do with God still being sovereign/

I don't know how many times I have to remind myself of that when I was tempted to trust to my own talents instead of the Lord. I am grateful that he has been able to nudge me in the leading of a given direction despite the temptation.

And if that means along the way, I have to accept where I'm being lead isn't always going to make me popular, I'll live with that reality. For I also know too that the following the Lord's leading will always yield a better harvest than following your own path.