You Guide Me
Stop.
Take a deep breath. As you breathe in say, “You guide me.” As you breathe out say, “I trust you.” Repeat as many times as you need.
Listen.
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters, wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.” – Oceans, Hillsong United
Reflect.
Trust is a tough thing. We say we trust God but too often act like everything depends on us. Our sermon series this fall focuses on stories from Genesis where our ancestors in faith do just that. They hear God, they trust God, and then they act like they never knew God in the first place and must do everything all on their own. It doesn’t usually go well. Over and over, God breaks in and sets things right all over.
When we live and act in fear, scrambling to try to make a way for ourselves all on our own, we don’t tend to listen for where God calls us and act accordingly. It’s why I love singing my faith in the words of the praise song “Oceans”. It recognizes that so much of our life takes place in dangerous, unknown places, as if we’re walking across deep and stormy waters. Worse yet, we’re often out in these risky places because we’ve followed God’s call into this place of uncertainty and risk.
Trusting God doesn’t mean living a sheltered, stable life. As this song reminds me, we follow God out into these places where we feel uncertain, vulnerable, and exposed. We follow God, and that means we don’t only look out for ourselves. We trust that God defends us even in the deepest of waters, and boldly act and serve however it is God has called us.
We trust God, knowing that we’re freed to love and serve our neighbor, to use our money and time freely, and to even set aside our own constant desire for control and security. We are freed from our fears and self-interest, freed to follow God, free for love and service without limit.
Pray.
God, I raise my voice to praise you, singing always of my trust for you. Even when you lead me places I’m uncomfortable or unsure, I know you will guide me. Thank you for taking me where I’m most needed, where your gifts can serve others through me, and where my faith can be made even stronger in your presence. Amen.
Carry On.
How has fear held you back from serving and giving exactly as God calls you? How can you let go of that fear and step out in faith?