Being a Christian isn’t easy. Dying to self isn’t easy, but it is a necessary part of following Jesus. The Lord has had me reflecting on the importance of simply doing what we’re told to do. It starts when we’re small children: our parents give us directions and teach us to follow them. The reasons are usually simple; most often for our safety, or for practical things like achieving goals and making progress, to help us learn how to navigate life. Following Jesus is the same. God has plans written for each of us and a perfect will for our lives. It’s our job to humble ourselves and do what He tells us to do.
I was reading in Ruth, chapter three, when Naomi begins giving her daughter-in-law instructions about how to seek out Boaz to redeem her. Ruth’s response leapt off the page at me for weeks: “All that you say to me I will do.” Every day for at least a week, I found myself opening to that same highlighted verse. The Lord was using it to speak to me about waiting on Him for direction, and then simply doing what He tells me to do. Not striving. Not problem-solving on my own. Just waiting, and then, as He leads, following His instructions.
But like many of us, I often take off running in my own direction, chasing my own solutions. And then the Lord patiently waits for me to realize He’s not in it; that I’ve run ahead without Him. That’s when I have to stop and look back, to see where I went off the rails. I retrace my steps to the last thing He told me to do, almost like making a checklist: Did I finish what He asked? Did I follow through?
Humans are easily distracted, and Satan counts on it. He uses distraction as a weapon to pull us out of alignment with God’s perfect will. If the enemy can get us busy chasing our own projects and paths, then we won’t walk in the fullness of what the Lord has for us. He’s also very convincing, trying to blur the lines so that we think we’re pursuing God’s will when really it’s just a diversion. Deep down, though, you’ll sense something is off; and God will keep nudging, calling, and redirecting you until you turn back. The key is learning to hear His voice and discern His leading.
The best way to guard against all this is through prayer; asking God to confirm His will in every step, big or small. If Jesus really is our Lord and King, then submission means we do what He says. We lay down our own dreams and goals, surrender our lives, and pursue His plans instead. The beautiful truth is that His plans are always better; full of hope, purpose, and joy beyond what we could ever imagine for ourselves.
So I share this in case the Lord is tugging on your heart the same way He did mine. Maybe He’s trying to get your attention, whispering, “Stop, that’s the wrong way.” Remember, He is the Good Shepherd. He knows exactly where you need to go. Trust Him.
I love you so much. And Jesus loves you more.
—Steph