Corona Devo 1971
Packing up from a hotel stay the other morning, I was grateful to find a luggage cart to load up all of our stuff to take to the car.
On the way back to our room, as I was pushing it from behind, I immediately realized that I had no control whatsoever over that cart.
The harder I pushed it "straight", the more that cart seemed to cut right and veer left. It was frustrating, and tiring, and so much work...even after a short distance. The luggage cart would not go the direction I wanted, no matter how hard I pushed.
Is this our experience lately with the Lord and our faith? ...That no matter how hard we try, and push...things won't go right. We know what direction we want to be headed-in, and yet life keeps veering left and shanking right. It's frustrating and tiring and so much work.
If this is what following God means--it's exhausting.
But back to the luggage cart...I had the idea that perhaps it might roll more fluidly if I went in front of the cart and pulled it, instead of pushing it from behind.
Success. When I was in front and guiding the carts movements, it would turn smoothly and roll straight, with very little effort. The pull from the front made a night-and-day difference in comparison with the push and forced exertion from the back.
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Let God lead today. Let Him get in front of our plans and schedule, and watch how the events and outcomes of our day (and life!) are altered.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (30) For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30
His path is smooth and His burden is light. The Lord knows exactly the path He has for us and He wants us to walk, but often (far too often), we're so busy pushing our own agendas/goals/dreams that we neglect to ask God what His goals/dreams/agenda is for us today and for our life.
The harder we push our agenda (without seeking our Heavenly Father's input), the more frustrating and exhausting life becomes.
There could be a reason things aren't going the way we want them to.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; (6) In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6
When we relent, step back, and let God lead, we just might be surprised (and delighted and blessed) with what He does.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. ~Isaiah 55:8
Don't push today. Let's let God lead us.
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The Lord spoke this principle into my (busy) spirit this morning, as I read His Word and sat with Him.
"Slow down. Let Me lead.", He said.
And so I did.
Following God should not be exhausting.
Normally the ringleader of my circus and all of the acts scheduled, today I (instead) resigned to let God lead. I felt a peace after being with Him, and I sat back and let the day come to me and let the Lord lead.
We had a number of connections to make involving pick-ups and drop-offs, and the Lord arranged and eased each of them (which was no small thing). It was so smooth, I knew He was pulling my luggage cart from the front.
Our family spent a few hours with (initial) strangers, who turned into friends that I hugged good-bye to in the end. An older gentleman was a retired chemist who spoke with animation and passion about his three careers revolving around different areas of Chemistry.
Chemistry is a subject that I know almost nothing about, but we have a son who is interested in studying Chemistry when he goes to college next year. This stranger-friend (that I had no idea we would meet today) filled our son's mind and heart with Chemistry career facts and experiences. It really impacted him.
The fact that God arranged that connection (and I didn't get in the way) really impacted me.
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We met another young woman who was well-spoken, kind and flamboyant. We spoke of many things with her, but (although I listened), she never mentioned God or her faith. In the end, when we were parting I complimented her excellent work (she had made our day!). I reminded her of God's love and plans for her, and she softened and said that her mom tells her the same things, and then she shared that while her parents and family are states away, they consistently encourage her to keep shining God's light and to keep living for Him. She did know the Lord, and was blessed to be encouraged by other Believers today!
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ~2 Corinthians 2:14
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When we relent, step back, and let God lead, we just might be surprised (and delighted and blessed) with what He does.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~Psalm 37:4
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Let's stop forcing and pushing the luggage cart of our life today. Let God get out in front and lead us.
Blessings,
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