He Leadeth Me

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV 

Sometimes when God calls us to take hold of something new, He’s asking us to let go of something else . . . and as most of us know, that’s not necessarily an easy task. That something—or someone—may have been a very good gift. Maybe it was a connection or a commitment that gave us comfort in a difficult season of life or an anchor in a time of uncertainty or some healing right when we needed it. It’s tough to imagine willingly letting go of what has served us well, but it may be just what we need in order to embrace the new thing He has for us. Perhaps it’s another kind of connection He’s asking us to release, one that He knows is not good for us—an addiction or a relationship that is dragging us down, hindering our health, or squelching our spirit . . . even when we can’t see it happening. 

If we’re going to let Him lead us on this journey, it’s best to allow Him to choose our companions—the people and the things He knows will bring about our greatest good and His glory. We can’t know today what He’ll ask us to leave behind tomorrow, but one thing we can always count on is this: He will be with us, every step. He’ll always be preparing the way, leading the way, and making it possible for us to follow. Just as the hymn “He Leadeth Me” points out: 

 

He leadeth me: O blessed thought! 
O words with heavenly comfort fraught! 
Whate’er I do, where’er I be, 
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. 

And when “He leadeth me” means that we must let go of something or someone we’ve held dear, He will make it clear that it’s time. If we stay sensitive to His Spirit, we’ll feel it. We may not want to feel it, but it will be undeniable. He’ll nudge us to loosen our grip, and if we ask for help, He’ll give us just what we need to follow through. He doesn’t promise that letting go will be easy, but He does promise that He’ll be with us every step. And in the end, we’ll likely discover that, in the process, we’ve learned to hold even more tightly to Him. So, the question for us will always be: Will we trust Him? Will we trust that the new freedom He’s calling us into is far greater than what He’s asking us to leave behind? Will we let Him do what He does best, leading us to become more and more like Christ, even when we don’t always understand His ways? If we do, we may find great comfort in knowing that we are always led by a loving hand. 

Lord, open my heart and loosen my grip! Help me to focus on the freedom You’re calling me into and let go of whatever hinders me from following You fully. Thank You for leading me with a loving hand and thank You for Your patience and grace as I learn to walk with You each day. I trust that You know exactly what I need right now and what I don’t. When it’s hard to understand Your ways, help me to trust Your heart above all. You are my loving Guide, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be than with You on this journey. May I always know the comfort of Your presence and the assurance of Your love. Amen. 

Blessed Assurance 

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