Passion for God’s Direction

Challenged by a life changing decision, my husband and I knew that we needed assurance from God.  We were moving our ministry of pastoring a church to full time evangelism, after many friends and family affirmed my husband’s gift of evangelistic preaching.

Leaving our church family and a ministry that we loved to enter into an uncertain adventure for the Lord was extremely frustrating and scary.  Some people close to us did not share the understanding of God’s leading in our lives and reacted negatively to this change. A huge question mark about our future lay before us.

During that time, God gave me Isaiah 30:21. Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”  Isaiah 30:21 Isaiah 55:12 also spoke to my life.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace, the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  He also blessed me with other promises, which I held on to and prayed with all my heart.

Because of the Lord’s faithfulness, we did go out with joy and He led us in peace.  We walked for thirteen years with a song in our hearts as if the mountains, hills and trees were rejoicing with us.  Every week, month and year we were open to God’s leading whether we turned left or right, we heard the Lord’s voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

We have discovered over the years that God does not place the whole picture and map of our lives out on the table for us to see and follow.  He leads us one step at a time and sometimes one moment at a time.  Instead of jumping into our own plans we listen carefully for his voice.  John 10:4b says, “His sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Our lives have been filled with a multitude of challenges: restarting a dead church, adopting two children, parenting many foster children and taking care of our older parents.

It always seems that the road ahead is rough and bumpy yet we see the Lord’s hand wonderfully orchestrating every step into victory as we follow the shepherd’s leading.  We abide in peace as we walk in his way.

We listen to God’s voice through the Word of God, circumstances, godly people and prayer.  We need his teaching, instructions and counsel to bring us to the place where we can know his perfect will.  As we hear his voice we follow and know that “He works all things out for good.”  Romans 8:28

Promise: Whether you turn to the right or to the left your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it”.  Isaiah 30:21
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

Partnering with God: Dear Lord, Your will seems confusing, like an unknown path.  Give me strength to believe that at every turn, whether it is to the right or to the left, you are in absolute control of every circumstance.  Make me a person who reads and studies your word diligently so that I can hear your voice.  Make me faithful in prayer so that I will learn to listen to your directions and leading in every step I take.

Let me know your thoughts!
Partnering with God,
Elaine