Following God

One of the great joys of being a follower of Jesus Christ is that you don’t have to know where you are going. The challenge is you must always being willing to obey God even when you do not want to or understand.

It’s like riding in a car. You are dependent on the person behind the wheel. There are always different ways of getting somewhere. When you are the person driving, you get to decide. When you are the passenger, you get to enjoy the view. Yes, the passenger can make suggestions and provide feedback to the driver’s decisions by praising or complaining. In the end it is the driver that makes the final call and will determine not only the destination, but the path taken.

I have found it best to let God drive and to just enjoy the view. I would love to say that I’ve always rested in His will and decisions. The last three years as we have sought to provide facilities for our church, I have had many days of doubt and confusion. I have even complained at times that God was not being clear on what He was doing or where He wanted us to go.

In my best days I prayed the words of an Andrew Peterson song “Holy is the Lord” and said,

Holy is the Lord

Holy is the Lord

And the Lord I will obey

Lord, help me I don’t know the way.

Those good faithful days have also produced in my soul the old hymn “Wherever He Leads I'll Go” by B.B. McKinney,

"Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say;
"I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today."
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.
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.

It may be thru' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me.
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.

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.
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.

Our church is now looking to expand its current facilities to provide for the growing needs of the church rather than relocating. This has been a wild ride, but one that has produced greater faith in me and the church. It has also provided an outcome that can save millions of dollars and serve thousands of souls for years to come.

Pray that God will continue to bless Living Hope and her pastor. Pray that we will follow His will and gladly submit to His plans according to the path He chooses. Pray that we will praise Him at all times and enjoy the ride. The scenery is great and the company couldn’t be better.

Email your comments and questions to me at jpettus@lhbg.org.