Do you think God leads us?
Posted: Jun-21-07 at 4:03pm by theshovel
Originally posted by Tim

Do you think God leads us as to where we are supposed to live and what we are supposed to do with our lives? It sure seems that He has, but I still find it hard to know what to do in the future. Kind of late to ask this at the age of 55, eh? Tim

I think the supposed Biblical concept of God's leading as it has come to us is founded upon that which appears according to the flesh. Just consider how similar this approach is to that of seeking our leading according to the wisdom of the horoscope. I have viewed this among other places in the break room of the store where I work. We have someone who usually brings a daily newspaper and leaves it on one of the tables for any to read (he's a nice guy). When I happen to be reading the section that contains the horoscope (and I can't remember which section that is) it's amazing how often I have been interrupted by someone who wants to see their horoscope. It's an obsession, though the one making the request will often downplay the importance it obviously holds. People are looking for some kind of divine direction for their lives for a reason, and I believe it comes, at least partly, from a sense of aimlessness.

But in Christ we are not aimless, even though the world around us would demand we are. Paul stated in the letter to the Romans,

for all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God Romans 8:14

It is a statement of fact, of reality, not at all suggesting that this is something we are supposed to do, or to seek. We ARE being led by the Spirit of God, even though it flies in the face of the inconceivability of it being true.

If we consider the example of our forefather in the faith, Abraham, we might realize that according to the reason (or comparison) of appearance we find ourselves in good company. Abraham was a wanderer. He was unsettled, without a real place in this world. Wasn't the same true of Jesus? of Paul? How about with all those mentioned in the letter to the Hebrews in the so-called "faith chapter"? And speaking of Hebrews, what was the encouragement given to them?

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. Hebrews 13:12-13

Do you realize what kind of appearance the writer was suggesting these people portray to their own society? As those stranded and abandoned by God. I can guarantee you that they felt something very similar to what we feel when we compare ourselves to what it should mean when led by God. Why wouldn't you feel as if you've missed your purpose in this life when your searching heart knows it cannot be satisfied with any place or meaning it could find here? :)