Some years ago, I was feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities, opportunities and requests that were coming my way. These were things that I could do, things I could do for and in my church, for friends, for strangers, in my community and beyond. But how was I to know what to fill my time with? In a recent post, I wrote about fruitfulness and significance and how Jesus calls us not to focus on the fruit, but rather to focus on him (click here to view that post). But today’s focus is slightly different.
How do we know what we should be doing? How do we discern what is right and what is not? Should we just embrace each and every opportunity as an open door set before us that we should say yes to? If it seems good, then surely it must be from God? As someone who hates to let others down often, it is easier to simply say yes, or at least that is how it appears. The additional stress that it often places on me, and my family, as a result, may perhaps suggest otherwise.
As I wrestled with this topic, God spoke to me from the life of Moses and the people of Israel (I have always loved the character of Moses, see here).
The following passage is found right at the end of the book of Exodus,
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Whenever the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out on each stage of their journey; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day that it was taken up. For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, before the eyes of all the house of Israel at each stage of their journey.
Exodus 40:34-38
And this is what the Lord said to me:
When I move, you move. When I stop, you stop. Follow my lead.
This has completely changed the way I view the things set before me. Whether by others, or from my own dreams and imaginings. I run it through that lens. It must pass that test. And I ask myself the following questions: Is this something that God is leading me to do. Is it not? Am I doing the things that he has already asked me to do? And am I doing them well? Will this distract me from what he has already set before me? Is this from him?
And so, while I still struggle to say no, I have found a freedom in doing so that I did not have before. I have learnt, and am continually learning, to look to Jesus. To see where he leads. And to follow him. If I am unsure, I have learnt to wait, to ask, to listen and to lean on him.
Lord Jesus, we long to follow you wherever you lead. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming when we look at all the possibilities of what we could do. We can feel pulled in many directions all at once. Please help us to look to you. Teach us to see where you are leading and to trust you in that process. Give us ears to hear and eyes to see. Amen
Do you find it easy to say no? How do you determine what you say yes to? How have you or are you learning to follow God’s lead? Is this imagery helpful for you?
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