Follow the Leader

Do you remember the game as a child? I recall days of lining up, skipping along, changing directions and the way I moved feet as we ventured across the playground. It was fun to vary my steps and I appreciated the opportunity to set the pace as a leader as well.

But lately I've been thinking about that simple childhood game in a whole new way. It's no longer classmates leading me across monkey bars, over the playground bridge and around the bases, but instead it's God, my heavenly Father leading me on this walk of faith.

At times the journey is fun and exciting just like those days from long ago, but the walk isn't always simple and at times traveling is tough. It can be difficult to follow when the leader goes where I don't want to follow. At times it seems the walk is all uphill and yet others we trudge thru the valley and still there are times when the road is simply dark and what once was a game now becomes a scary adventure.

Unlike the playground at the school, now I don't know what lies around every bend and ultimately this game never ends. Back then the whistle would blow and leader lost their job, but now there's a need for endurance as I follow the One who planned the steps I will take. Even though at times it seems we've taken a wrong turn or perhaps even hit a dead end, in this game our roles never change.

As a child I had the opportunity to be the leader, but today there's only One qualified for the role. It is God and the rules of the game haven't changed - where He leads, I must follow.

So today I ask you, "Are you still playing the game from years ago?" If so have you given up the role of leader and submitted to following Him? May I encourage you, as I do the same for myself, keep walking in His steps and stay on the path, ultimately this journey will be better than any game we played as a child!!