Who to Follow

I knew where I was going, I thought. The incomplete map used to arrive was difficult to follow. So on the way home, I decided upon a more familiar path. But a few wrong turns made me increasingly uncomfortable. Neck hairs standing at attention, nothing was familiar and the map was useless. Every turn increased my anxiety. What was supposed to be easy and well-known was again difficult and confusing.

Ever follow a path which doesn’t seem right? Everyone else is there or it seemed okay at the time, but now it just isn’t. Deep down we sense there’s something better, a different path. Yet that path is unfamiliar, uncomfortable and illogical. But this is what God often calls us to-the incomplete and unknown path.

The road God calls us to is not always easy to see or walk. It's not about what we see. It's about who we follow.This path of following His footprints is not meant to be familiar. We are not supposed to see the whole map. God sees it all and asks us to follow. He asks us to trust He’ll lead us home. Following Him can be a hair-raising, anxiety ridden, uncomfortable journey at times. We can’t see more than a step or two in the distance. But that’s the point.

It’s not about what we see. It’s about Who we  follow.[tweetthis]It’s not about what we see. It’s about Who we follow. [/tweetthis]

If I could see what was coming, I probably wouldn’t follow. I’d covet the easier, well-worn path. The fun, downhill glide of smiles and happiness, not the grueling uphill climb of frustration and worry. While following Jesus isn’t always a struggle, it also isn’t always easy. He calls us to stretch and mold ourselves, our minds and our actions to His will, not ours.

It’s as simple as following Him. But often I trip and stumble along the way. Distractions lead to detours or wrong turns. But God always brings me back.

In reflecting on where I’ve been and where I should go next, I realize following Jesus will always be an unknown path. I don’t have the complete map and wishing I did won’t make it appear. Offering my frustration, fear, and uncertainty to God is all I can do as I follow. Choosing to cast my cares and navigation on Him will faithfully lead me to each next step.

The road God calls us to is not always simple to see or follow. It has curves and bumps and turns we can’t anticipate. But in the following our faith flows. We learn to navigate by His lead, not our own. We faithfully follow the Map Maker.

I’m praying for direction these days, friends and wondering if you are too? Chime in below and let me know how I can pray for you as you seek to faithfully follow. Let’s keep following our Map Maker on His path to the life and the home He’s created especially for us!

Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart,  Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday and Crystal Storms at #HeartEncouragment

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14 thoughts on “Who to Follow”

  1. “It’s not about what we see. It’s about Who we follow.

    If I could see what was coming, I probably wouldn’t follow.”

    Yes. I, too, would choose the well-worn path…the one I would feel the safest on and the one I would have control over. Just so I wouldn’t lose too much control–but just enough to trust Him a little with my life.

    I have some work to do!

    Reply
    • Ahh yes, that issue of control-I struggle here too Rochelle! We all have work to do, but the beauty rests in God’s forgiving grace which always leads us back to him. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, happy to see you!

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  2. Oh yes! I have been praying for direction and guidance this year! Sometimes, I even ask Him to make it really obvious, because when I’m overwhelmed and weary, everything seems harder to see. Love your post! Glad I stopped over from #HeartEncouragement today. 🙂

    Reply
    • Thanks Laura! Yes, the more obvious the better! But then I think sometimes God makes it more difficult just so we slow down and listen to him more clearly. Praying you will hear His direction for you! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. So often I’m thankful God only lights the way for the next step. If I could see what was around the bend, I might not always follow. But I know Who I’m following, that my final destination is secure, and He’s with me each step of the way.
    Thanks, Jill, for sharing your heart. Praying for you as you take that next step.

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  4. I tend to want to see the whole path in front of me and know where it’s going, but as you say, maybe it’s a good thing that we don’t. I’m glad that God knows, and that our trust in him can grow as we follow one step at a time.

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    • Yes, Lesley, I’m finding my faith growing ever more reliant on Him as I follow one step and one moment at a time! Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. Sometimes we are not moving anywhere any more–we are “in place.” The neat thing is that God continues to give us opportunities to reach out to people. While visiting Bob recently at Heritage, we went to the lounge where there were several other residents. I joined in conversation with them and watched a TV show. I truly enjoyed it despite their various and sundry limitations. Then I chuckled. Years ago, I always felt like I wanted to visit people in nursing homes, but never quite found the time — did make a few infrequent attempts (even took our cat to Lasata on pet day with Peter — wow! the fur really flew). So there I sat in the lounge and thought, I’m finally getting my chance — as I visit Bob, I can also visit with others who perhaps don’t get many visits. I love visiting Bob so it’s not a problem at all. I have come to love so many residents in homes, all three of the homes where Bob lived.

    Reply
    • Yes, our ‘following’ sometimes leaves us in place for seasons. You and Bob have weathered many storms as you follow and it’s great how God still leads us to where He wants us to go, even years later! Thanks for commenting Rita, always a pleasure to hear from you!

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  6. After an ice storm and severe power outage in 2008, I had to drive to my mother’s home with gas heat, two little ones in tow. The familiar roads I had driven for decades now felt threatening and foreign in their icy blanket. I prayed every moment of that 45-minute drive, and I give all the credit to God for leading me safely through that dangerous passage. He literally led me through a dangerous path then, and he will lead me through hair-raising spiritual paths now and in days to come.

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    • He does lead us through, yet we always find a reason to worry and trust more in our circumstances than our God who controls the circumstances. Great example, thanks for sharing Sarah!

      Reply

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