You Lead. I'll Follow!

Check out that hairdo of the late 60s. It was called the bee-hive -- the higher the hair, the closer to God we felt! LOL! Curls-on-steroids! What was I thinking? Those were our Master's IV Quartet days when we traveled all over the U.S. and Canada to churches and events to sing our 4-part-harmony of Gospel songs. Except for the hairdo -- precious memories!

My husband was the leader and piano player in our group. He also carried the "lead" (the vocal part that generally carries the melody of the song), but often he'd say, "Karen, (his sister) take the lead on this one. Jim, our guitarist, and I would follow their lead as he'd sing the bass and I'd sing alto or tenor.

Funny how I was reminded of those times when I heard someone say "Lord, you take the lead. I'll follow." In music terms "You carry the tune and the melody of my soul and my life." Back in my early walk with Christ, I'd sing "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back." Or, "Where He leads me, I will follow." Today, I sing Jamie Grace's song "You Lead. I'll follow."

There were times when we tried to lead God to our way of thinking by making decisions without consulting Him and listening and watching for His "Lead". We wanted Him to follow our lead, our ideas, and desires. And when we took the lead, we made some huge mistakes. We messed things up and even lost our way until we let go and followed Him again.

From the moment we wake up to when we go to sleep at night, we have decisions to make and a road to follow. If we have chosen to follow God, then He gives us clear directions for our lives. We don’t have to guess or wonder what course to take. Psalm 119:105 says "His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path", especially if we have a love relationship with Him. Following God is the best decision we can make, as He shows us how to live joy-filled and contented lives. Unnecessary failures can be avoided when our attitude is, “You lead. I'll follow.” That's when an exciting journey of faith is lived out as we're willing to listen and obey His directions.

In John 8:12, Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” Difficult and dark places in this world can be avoided when He lights our way. Those who listened to Jesus’ voice when He was walking on this earth and those of us who listen to Him now, get to choose between following the “Light” of the Lord or walking in the “darkness” of this world. We have a decision to make -- following the darkness or following His Light that offers us a love relationship with Him that promises joy, peace, hope and an abundant life. That's the life I want!

We're His Pampered Sheep

When my youngest grandson steps out his front door each morning, you'll immediately hear the bleating of the goats, the hee haws of the donkeys and the mooing of the longhorn. Oh, news just came in -- it is also the clucking of his new brood of chickens. They know their “master” is getting ready to tend to their needs. I can't help but think about THE ONE who steps out His door into my life each day and is there for all my needs.

Three years ago, at the magnificent Tulip Festival in Keukenhof, Holland, I was drawn to a petting corral that held beautiful, well fed sheep. No question that they were pampered and treated as royalty because of the well-protected and confined area they lived in. There's no danger of harm there and they don't even need a shepherd. Those thoughts remind me of Psalm 23 and the more I read these words, the more insight the Lord gives me about our relationship.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

But, what about those sheep that are in a field, open-prey to ravenous animals and harm? They are the ones that truly need a shepherd to watch over and care for them. We are like those sheep. How comforting to know that wherever we are, our Good Shepherd keeps a watchful eye on us. Jesus shares something central to our life of faith. He says, "I am the Good Shepherd." John 10:11. Like a shepherd, He leads us, feeds us, protects us, and saves us. How could He have such audacious and unrelenting love for us?

I always need those assurances in the season that I am in. The more “mature” I get, the more I am learning to embrace the admonition that Jesus is my Good Shepherd. The verb definition of the word "shepherd" means to tend, guide, and instruct. Jesus does this and infinitely more. In times of transition, I desperately need to remember the characteristics of a good shepherd. I need to know that the weight of my circumstance doesn’t rest on my shoulders. After all, I am not God. Sometimes I forget that. Sometimes I think I know better. Sometimes I think my plans are the best plans. And sometimes I think I can fix everything. But, the answer has always been the same -- simple, yet profound "God IS love". It's who He is. He can't stop loving us. We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture. He loves us so much that He asked His Son to leave His heavenly home, take on a human body and lay down His life for us. And, now enthroned with His Father, Jesus still guides us to safety, restores our souls and our strength.

As, one of those well-fed, cared for, and protected "pampered" sheep, I stop the "I can do" mentality and delightfully rest in knowing "The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want."
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Learning to Dance in the Rain

When the storms of life come, it’s quite easy to nestle down all snug as a bug in a rug, and just wait for them to pass. After all, who wants to go outside when it’s lightning and thundering and the winds are blowing 90 miles an hour? It’s also quite easy to complain about the weather. In the winter – we complain about the cold, and in the summer we complain about the heat. Don’t you love it when you see little kids, completely CARE-FREE, bundling all up for winter fun, or running out, dancing and splashing in the rain? And, don’t you love it when little kids play in the summer – not paying any attention to the heat – so much so, that we have to remind them to put on sunscreen?

I’ve figured it out. Life isn’t about waiting for the storms to pass, or the winter or summer to pass – or STUFF that comes our way to pass. It’s about learning to enjoy the journey, whatever season it is, or whatever the weather might be -- and even while going through the storms of life. Then what is it about? It's about learning how to dance in the rain, in the storms of life and in the seasons of life.

I’ve been through some real downpours in the last few years, and this gal has become quite the accomplished “dancer”. I know how to bend, and not break; I know how to do the “quick step” and I know how to “slow dance”, and, best of all, I’ve learned to depend on my Dance Partner, and how to follow His “lead”. And in case you’re wondering who my Dance Partner is ----- He’s the ONE Who created the dance!!

Lion + Bear + Big Dude = Promotion

I posted about David and his Giant, yesterday! Just wanted to add....a P.S. to that post!

David DID win that epic battle with Goliath, but God had prepared him in the trenches, in the “small” things. David was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities. David did anything God asked him to do. When he faced the lion and the bear, he didn’t cower in fear. He knew that God had called him to the sheep, and that God would be faithful to give him the victory. That's why his faith grew as he destroyed the lion and the bear. So when the BIG DUDE came along, David already knew HIS God would defeat that giant as well.

Moral of this story: "Be faithful in the little things (those seemingly insignificant responsibilities and jobs -- like David did as a shepherd boy), then God will make you ruler of much (PROMOTE YOU!)." Luke 16:10. David eventually became King David of Israel. The sheep we protect, lead and guide (you know.....those everyday duties and responsibilities); each lion and bear we slay (everyday issues, challenges and circumstances); and each giant we take down.....are ALL a part of God's Master Plan that leads us to our destiny and purpose! He's preparing us right now and fully equipping us to be the most epic GIANT SLAYER ever! So, BIG DUDE, move out of our way! We've got your number and you're going DOWN....and WE'RE MOVING ON UP!