A Gentle Command

Here is the basic premise that I follow, as much as I can, when seeking God’s will for my life no matter what the issue is:

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).

That is what I have been doing this summer. When my ladies’ group stopped for the summer break last June, I, as facilitator, committed to the Lord the direction for our Fall Bible study and trusted Him to show me which material to select in time for our September start-up. At our last meeting, we agreed on the general topic of, ‘Jesus and how he related to women’. As the summer weeks went by, I visited the local Christian bookstores to thumb through the many excellent books and study guides available. I bought a couple of books in June and started reading them. But, neither seemed quite right. I kept praying:

“Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow” (Psalm 25:4).

Meaning, in this case, please lead me to the right material for our group. I did not pray every day nor did I actually read from the books every day, although I was diligently making my way through them. The first two books did not seem quite right. It was the middle of the summer now, so I prayed again about the choice of study material.

A gentle command spoke into my mind: “Don’t lead this group.”
Me: “But God, I love these ladies. Through our interaction with each other and with the Holy Spirit, we have learned so much over the past three years. I said I would continue. I do not want to go back on my word.”

A gentle command: “Don’t lead it.”
Me: “Well, Lord, I am sure I can do all that you want AND keep leading this ladies’ group, too.”
The voice was silent.

I started reading another book on our topic, which was interesting, but I still did not get that reassuring feeling in my gut. Three weeks later, still contemplating what to do, I asked the Lord again to lead me to the right resources because I want to:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

A gentle command again: “Don’t lead it.”
Me: “OK, Lord. Even though it will make me sad and I will miss these ladies, I will obey. You know my schedule. You know the unexpected. You know my limits.”

I obeyed, and then I felt free. Despite my sadness about the loss of regular contact with these ladies, by God’s grace I was ready to end my ties with the group and be open to the new ministry God had in mind for me. That was Monday. On Tuesday, I called the pastor at that church and discussed the situation with her. Afterward, I contacted each member of the ladies’ group explaining the change and that the pastor would help them get going without me. Wednesday, I met with the pastor at my new church and received confirmation to start a new ladies’ group there. I am excited about the upcoming possibilities for ministry that the Lord will show me in the next few months.

Lord, thank you for your words that remind me to commit all my activities to your guidance; to trust you at the same time; and to then walk the path you show me. Thank you for your gentle, but persistent commands, which you speak in answer to my prayers. Please bless the ladies as they continue to grow closer to you. Thank you that I had the pleasure of seeing YOU in our midst, leading us gently, drawing us closer to your heart. Amen.