wherever
Being a Southern Baptist preacher’s kid the “Wherever” post went straight to the hymn “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go”. You’ve probably heard it many times, but maybe you never have, either way soak on it here for a minute…
"Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say; "I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today."
Refrain: Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.
He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know, and in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go. [Refrain]
It may be through the shadows dim, Or o’er the stormy sea, I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me. [Refrain]
My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so; He is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go, [Refrain]
He gave His Life for you, for me, can I surrender my all…my need to be right, my need to be justified, my hurts, my pride, my family, my wants, my finances, my version of what l thought life was supposed to look like…SURRENDER ALL, EVERYTHING? As I look at things I had a hard time letting go of, they were the very things that led me to periods of bitterness. I wasn’t sure about the direction the “Whenever” post went, however so many confirmations led to this…whenever we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness in our hearts we can’t clearly hear our SAVIOR! How can we know the right direction to go if we can’t hear HIM. I don't know about you, but things are crazy enough in my world. I want to make sure I’m able to hear as clearly as possible. I seriously don’t want to be any where God hasn’t led me, yet many times in my life I’ve muted the voice of God with the desire for my own comfort. To go WHEREVER He is leading we need a surrendered and repentant heart focused on Him and living in obedience. I’ve come to realize living in obedience means not worrying about the future, ‘whatever' but trusting HIM whenever I start to doubt His goodness and follow Him wherever! My Mother has what we call the worry gene and when any of us go into panic mode we say the worry gene is coming out. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6 not to worry and gives us some anchor points.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
These are the red-letter words of Jesus telling us not to worry. It’s not a suggestion it’s a command. Lord, help me when my worry gene shows up! Notice the verse starts with “therefore”, hint, this means there was something really important just before. Set our ANCHOR in this…
“SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS” Matt 6:33
We need to daily check what our priorities are. If I’m stressed, feeling overwhelmed and worried it’s usually because I’ve put more focus on the “whatever” and lost focus on my Savior. Please do not misunderstand me. Focusing on Christ does not take away our hurts but it puts them in the hands of the only one who can use them for good. God is sovereign, He knows everything about you and me and He loves us still! He has a plan and a purpose for all our whatevers when we surrender it to Him. He will use it for His glory. His promises never fail, trust Him to lead you wherever. I was standing in my living room crying out to God after yet another month of realizing I was not pregnant. I fully surrender to Him in that moment my life long desire to have a baby. I specifically remember sharing this with my small group. Through tears saying out loud how thankful I was for the roles I had been able to play as Aunt and God sister and if that was all I ever was I would be ok. The next week we got a call about a girl looking to place her baby for adoption. He led us straight to our son! No, we were not even looking into adoption at the time. I wonder was God waiting on me to surrender to get rid of the bitter root of “why not me”? I don’t know, but I do know His hand was all over every step of our adoption. I know our son is an answered prayer after I surrendered my will for His.
When we can’t see where we are going we have to trust who is leading us. We ride our horses in the river and the river bed is constantly changing so you have to know where the dangers are. On a large trail ride my brother is typically the lead. Those of you who know us both know which one of us caused my mother’s worry gene to pop out the most. However, I’ve always been able to trust him to look out for me. So when the water is muddied up I will ride stride for stride behind him knowing he can see clearly and will not put me in danger. God does this for you and me. He goes before us and is with us. Put your trust in HIM and follow WHEREVER He leads.
“It is the Lord who goes before you.
He will be with you, he will not leave you or forsake you.
Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deut 31:8
Don’t waste time worrying or being afraid of where you are going. Remember God wants to be first in your life. He is trustworthy and more than able to handle it all. Be honest with Him and surrender to Him. He will provide for your needs, wherever He leads. He will take you wherever He can use you to help others KNOW HIM MORE.
Go be Salty… Wherever He Leads!
