STEP ASIDE AND LET GOD TAKE THE LEAD

The storms and whirlwinds of this life can be so overwhelming and very turbulent. This turbulence may cause us to shift into the driver seat of life. As we take the lead and the bull by the horns, we remove God's hand of protection, where he was once the sole commander of our destiny.

Picture this man as Jesus and picture yourself behind him, as he takes the headwinds and brunt of the storm for you.

When we let God do the leading, he protects us from the objects and obstacles in front of us. All we have to do is slow down behind him and follow his lead.

God desires to be your strength, fortress, protector and deliverer, but you must allow him to, by slowing down in tumultuous times where you'd prefer to take control yourself.

Earlier this month out of nowhere Holy Spirit spoke this to me- "I love you, O Lord my strength."

Psalm 18:1-2 I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

I knew exactly what scripture he was referring to, but what I did not realize, is that he was giving me the heads-up that I would need to rest, rely and depend on him as my strength. He was giving me the provision for what was ahead.

I have discovered that anytime I push ahead too long, relying on my own abilities and strength, I lose out. Whether the loss is strength, momentum, pace, rest or faith, ultimately it's a misstep, and I have to pause and refocus.

Strength: the quality or state of being physically strong; the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.

God is able to withstand any pressure or force of wind that comes your way, but it requires him taking the lead.

Psalm 23:1-2 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Notice who is leading out in front in Psalm 23- It is the Lord. When he is the shepherd, leading the way through the storms and wilderness places, we can be assured that we will experience, safety, peace and rest for our souls. We are not meant to walk independently or ahead of God. He has a timing and a plan of action for each of us, so we must stay close behind him as he leads the way.

Psalm 91 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

You Must Slow Down

I sense a great caution to slow down, especially moving into August. God has a timing and momentum scheduled for your progression and you must stay in it. You must stay true to the blueprint for your life. Rest is key to you experiencing the momentum of God. Hurrying ahead of God's timing is prideful and says you know better than God does. Hurry is an enemy to the voice and plans of God, as it gets us self focused and out of God's perfect will.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Your life has taken on a pattern of living and being way more than you realize. Repent quickly, see where you have fallen and get back in the timing of the Lord.

Guarding Against the Familiar

Familiarity is an enemy to your faith and progress. Reading the Word of God is a great defense against familiarity, as it shines the light on old lifestyle habits and familiar relationships. You can't keep doing the same thing and expect things to change. God will bring new people in to take you where you couldn't go before , so don't allow what was once good and comfortable to keep you out of the momentum and safety of the Lord. There is a perfect will for your life and God knows how to make it happen, but if you stay in places of familiarity you will miss the new things God has for you.

God's Process

God has all of us in a process of healing, deliverance and wholeness and he knows what and who we need to help us. It's okay if that's you today, just stop and get back behind the Great Shepherd and allow him to start leading again. Stop and listen for his voice, his direction, his counsel and his leading, and stop trying to lead where you are meant to follow.

Get behind the counsel of those he gave you as overseers of your soul, and allow them to do what God has tasked them to do.

1 Corinthians 11:1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

When you take the lead, you are out of order, and confusion and chaos will soon set in. Know when you are asked to lead and when you are meant to follow. When you lead out of turn, you lead out of your own strength, and you lose the momentum of the Lord, and you lose his protection as well. If God has you on a course for leadership then you will know when it is your turn. If you move ahead of his timing you will take on battles that will leave you unprotected in the spirit. Now instead of Jesus taking the wind and pressure, you will experience the storm, on a whole new level-not prepared or armored for it.

Return to the Stronghold of Hope

Zechariah 9:12 Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

This week I encourage you to slow down and wait on the Lord. Get back into a position of humility and rest, and allow him to once again take the lead in your life and destiny.

Isaiah 41:8-10, 13 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand....For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Meditations and Activation's for This Week

• practice following this week, where you once were leading

• build rest days into your week

• read and meditate on Psalm 18, Psalm 23 and Zechariah 9:12

• ask God to break all ungodly soul ties in your life

• spend time surrendering in worship

Blessings to you this week and in the month ahead as you allow God to once again take the lead in your life.

-Dana