I was taking a bike ride with my son the other day. He rides a little bit slower than me and I like to go off the beaten path for fun. At one point when I veered off the path, he peppered me with questions/comments like,
“Where are we going, Dad?”
“Are we going to get ice cream?”
“Wait up Dad!”
“You are going to fast Dad!” (I was about 20ft ahead of him)
“Dad, where are we going? Wait up!”
Finally, I just said, “Will you just follow me and stop asking me questions? I’m right here!” Instantly, I knew what it must feel like (in some small way) to be God. Like me, maybe you are constantly asking God questions. Not that questions in and of themselves are bad, it’s just that our motive for asking the questions sometimes has a root of mistrust and unbelief. He has already promised to be with us whether we can feel Him or not:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV)
Can’t you imagine God saying, “Will you please just follow Me?”
- When you are not getting the answers to your questions, just follow.
- When you can’t see the way, just follow.
- When you don’t know what God is saying or where He is leading, just follow. (Keep on following the last directive you were given and don’t change course until you get new orders).
- When the way is unsure or hard, just follow.
- When you are tired and weary, just follow.
- When you are not sure how much more you can take, just follow.
Jesus will lead you through. Remember, the ultimate goal is not a destination, the ultimate goal is relationship with Jesus. I’m convinced that He doesn’t give us all the answers or won’t always give them easily and quickly because He enjoys being sought. It also tells Him something about our character. He longs for a close relationship with us. At the risk of sounding cliché,
walking with God is about the journey, not the destination.
Jesus gave us the best example of how to follow when He said, “I do only what I see the Father doing” (see John 5:19). Stay in close communion, seek His heart, know His word, and just follow.
Take Action
Are you asking God questions out of mistrust and unbelief or out of a sincere desire to know Him better? If it’s the first, take some time with Jesus today, focus on Him instead of your problems and let Him encourage your heart. Because walking with God isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey!
A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24 NIV)
For additional reading, check out these scriptures:
- Matthew 28:20
- Proverbs 16:9
- Proverbs 3:5-6
