🏳️‍🌈✝️ Willing to Follow Where the Spirit Leads

Written by The Apostolic Faith Church

06/07/2018

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. – Psalm 32:9

When Papa rode into the yard on Old Jim, a dapple-gray horse, we thought he had finally lost his mind. My father loved horses, and he had saved this one from the glue factory to live out its last days in comfort and pleasure. Old Jim became a part of the family quickly, and we children loved to ride him. My ten-year-old brother, being the oldest of the five of us, would lead Jim next to an old stump that stood in the front yard, and we would all pile on. That gentle giant would slowly plod around the yard as each of us, entertained by our imaginations, rode in rodeos, roped cattle on a round-up, or entered the bronco-busting arena.

When Old Jim got bored and tired of the game and the noise, he would head to the backyard where the clothes line hung, and firmly, but carefully, dump us into a howling heap on the ground. He would then stand there with his eyes closed, and there was no convincing him to do otherwise. That horse had a mind of his own!

We chuckle at a horse with a mindset. But it is not so funny to think about how we might sometimes act like a stubborn animal. Do we ever find ourselves ignoring promptings from the Lord, determined not to do anything we do not want to do? Or have we tried to force something to happen in our lives, when we know God is not leading us there? God admonishes us not to be stubborn like a horse or mule, who must be forced about in the right direction. We, as children of God, are to be led by the Spirit of God. The Spirit is faithful to instruct us, but we must be willing to follow His leading. 

How comforting to know God watches over us and is concerned about each step we take! He will never lead us wrong. Let us be pliable, teachable, and willing to follow where He leads.