Leading God

I try to lead God where I want to go.

I do this all the time.

It's almost a way of life for me.

For some reason, I think my ideas are better than his. Sure he has come up with the likes of rainbows, blue skies, sweet tea, folk music, the ocean, fried chicken, crispy bacon, Duck Dynasty, the sunrise, the sunset, and the entire creation.

But I'm creator of the best summer sandwich ever. (It's grilled bread with butter, fried bologna, fresh sliced tomato, two eggs fried over easy, topped with cheese, and a hit of Tabasco. Just make sure your grand-momma isn't in the room.)

That has to qualify me for something.

The funny thing is you can't lead God. You can only follow or walk in an opposite direction.

It doesn't matter how great your ideas are. He always goes before you. He is the one with the map.

In a few weeks, I turn 30.

My life hasn't turned out like I thought it would. It has turned out better and I'm blessed beyond measure.

But I find myself still fighting and clinging to a version of life that I dreamed up when I was 17. So often, I feel restless. I feel like I'm underachieving. Like I should be so much more. Like God is misusing me. Like if only he would give me a chance. Like I know better than him.

I find myself trying to lead God to do with me as I please.

But God isn't to be led. Nor, can he be.

We are called to follow, not to lead.

Following God doesn't promise that we will be happy with the outcome. Ask anyone in the Bible, if their lives played out like they wanted, chances are you would get very few affirmatives.

The truth is we follow after Christ not knowing how our time here on earth will be spent.

And we follow through daily obedience and trust. It's not knowing the desired outcome and experiencing peace in spite of it. It's not about the huge leaps of monstrous faith you take. It's about the small faithful steps you take day after day.

It's understanding that we received our portion when we accepted Christ. Chew on that for a minute. Nothing else is needed. It doesn't matter if anything else is added.

Quite trying to lead God. Instead, follow him.