Livin Lively

By Peggy Lively

            There have been a few times in my life when I was certain I was being led by the Holy Spirit in a specific direction, when all of a sudden I found myself seemingly at a dead end.  During these times, I had really sought God through prayer and reading the Bible and then followed where I believed He was leading me. But the road either suddenly ended or did not take me where I was sure I was going. It’s been times like these when I have questioned whether I have “heard” Him or been led by His Spirit at all.

            When I begin to doubt His Spirit’s leading (or my ability to hear Him), I always go back to John 10. Jesus tells us, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—“ (John 10:14) He reminds us, “When he [the good shepherd] has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4) And again, He says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) These verses always encourage me that if I am seeking God, through prayer and reading His Word, then I will hear Him speak to my heart, and He will lead me by His Spirit. Anne Graham Lotz describes, “For some, hearing Him speak is like a quiet knowing. For others, it’s more electric—as though the verses had bells, whistles, and flashing neon lights. Regardless of how His voice ‘sounds’ to you, the impact will be like fuel that keeps the fire burning in your heart.” (I Saw the Lord, p. 195)

             I have learned though that just because I hear Him speak through His Word and I follow Him, that doesn’t always mean I am going to end up where I think I should. Even Jesus was led by the Sprit to a place I would have never expected.

            When Jesus lived on this earth, He was “led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” (Matthew 4:1, NKJV) Really? The Holy Spirit intentionally led Jesus into temptation? The same Jesus that taught us to pray, “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one?” (Matthew 6:13) Certainly there has to be an eternal purpose for this strange leading.

            Hebrews 2:18 says, “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” And Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” As usual, God had us in mind when He was leading His Son. Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are, so that He could sympathize with us and help us!

            Through His life, as a man, Jesus also had to learn to trust and obey His Father. “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.” (Hebrews 5:7-9) Jesus had to trust His Father that through His obedience in going to the cross and suffering for our sins, He would become the source of our salvation.

            We can see that purpose for Jesus, but it is so difficult in our own lives sometimes to see any good that could possibly come out of intense suffering. Like Jesus though, we must learn to trust and obey our Heavenly Father.

            So sometimes, when we are led by God’s Spirit, it might not be our destination that is what’s important. It may be that we are supposed to learn some lessons along the journey, like trust and obedience. So the next time it seems like you have come to a dead end, you’ve ended up in the wilderness, or you’re going through intense suffering, remember Jesus has been there too. He understands, and He can help you. Then ask God what it is you’re suppose to be learning, put your faith in Him, and trust that His plans have a purpose.

“A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?” (Proverbs 20:24)