Staying in Step With Jesus
I’m learning something about staying in step with Jesus…
I set up my slow-cooker and opened cans of Contadina crushed tomatoes and poured them into the pot. Opening a package of ground beef, I added it to a bowl along with breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, parmesan cheese, and herbs. I mixed them together, rolled little balls and added them to the simmering sauce. The comforting aroma began to fill the kitchen.
That morning I was unsettled and unnerved over a message I received from a friend; her brother was in his last moments of life – cancer had won.
I prayed for him and his family – and covered my dear friend with thoughts of God’s peace in the middle of this sorrow.
Maybe I could bring them dinner tonight.
That Antsy Feeling
Still, I felt out of my skin—What to do? Where to go? Should I start a project? Go run errands? I couldn’t settle or sit. So, I thought I’d just go to Wal-Mart with my list…
That doesn’t feel right.
Should I wait until after lunch?
Should I go to the hospital to be with my friend?
Grrr…
Finally, I made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and decided to go to Wal-Mart after all. I gathered my list, went out to the car, backed out of the driveway and headed into town. I punched the radio button and the K-LOVE announcer’s words grabbed my heart as he talked about the importance of staying in step with Jesus.
That’s when I encountered the crash.
Two cars were twisted and smashed. A fire truck was parked behind the totaled vehicles and a policeman directed cars around the wreckage.
If I had left a little earlier, this could have been me.
And, that’s when I realized my struggling may have saved my life. The announcer’s words on K-Love struck a chord even more after I happened upon the accident.
Staying in Step With Jesus
At the time it didn’t feel like I was in step with anything—but my delay in leaving by those few minutes made a difference.
Do you remember the story in Exodus 13 when the Israelites made camp when the cloud hovered and moved forward only when the cloud moved? God was teaching them to stay in step with Him and to trust His leading. (See also Numbers 9:17-23)
This seems a bit archaic in 2019. But feeling that angst of not knowing where to go and when makes it a bit more real. If I hadn’t felt that nudge to stay back today, it could have been me being pried from my car with the Jaws of Life.
Does God Still Lead Us?
Does God Still Lead Us? How can I stay in step with Jesus? Click To Tweet
Our Heavenly Father is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is still teaching us to follow His lead. We have no idea what we are spared from on a daily basis as we stay in step with Him.
His Fragrance Hovers
There is something about the aroma of meatballs cooking—the promise of something good (and yummy). And as we follow God, make decisions that honor Him, and do our best to be obedient to His direction, Scripture says we are the fragrance that points to Christ.
In the middle of my struggles, I want to trust that His steps, His delays, and His timing are part of His bigger purpose. Because staying in step with Him has been His purpose all along.
I want to trust that His steps, His delays, and His timing are part of His bigger purpose. #StayingInStep #FollowJesus Click To Tweet
Tell me about a time when you felt out of step, antsy, or unsure of where to go and when. How did God lead you through it?
Have you felt out of step, antsy, or unsure of where to go or what to do? How did God lead you through it? Click To Tweet
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Jeanne
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There are absolutely times when God has delayed me, warned me off of some path, or brought disruption into my day. One time in particular was an early morning in my office when a a co-worker and I had “gone off the deep end” over a work-related issue. As the language got louder and more unsavory, the knock from a sweet soul who sat in a cubicle on the other side of one of my office walls. Having always tried to be a gentleman around ladies, this notice diffused me and allowed God to get my attention. Moments later, the person we were fuming over stopped in. After the short meeting, I closed my office door and thanked God for intervening before I allowed my emotion to make a bad situation even worse. I also asked forgiveness of my sweet co-worker on the other side of the wall.
Thanks for your transparency, J.D. It sounds like your responses were the right and godly ones. I appreciate you stopping in and sharing your story about staying in step with Jesus.
Jeanne, this is so good. I’m thankful even for my indecisiveness today. Trusting God that he’ll clear the fog—-as he has so many times in the past.
Thank you for stopping in Jetta. I appreciate the feedback I received at our critique group on this post. So sorry about your fog…and praying He will lift the cloud at just the right time.
I’ve been in similar situations where I’ve come up on an accident only to realize seconds later that could’ve been me if I’d settled for pushing my grocery buggy against the curb, or someone who was driving SO slow hadn’t been driving quite so slow. I’m sorry for your friend’s loss. She’s blessed to have you as a friend, Jeanne. Blessings!
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Cathy. His eye is truly on the sparrow 🙂
It is not easy to know how God is leading. But I do know that I won’t hear clearly unless I am walking closely with Him. He will redirect me if I miss it. But I want to see His path and feel His peace.
Your story beautifully illustrates that God does indeed lead us in today’s world, if we pay attention. And when we don’t, we remember His ultimate will for our lives overrides any silly decisions we make along the way.
Thanks for your thoughts, Candyce. Staying in Step reminds me of His angels having charge over us.
I was just speaking to my niece about this very thing…we do not see the full story and, thus, cannot know the full extent of God’s protection in our lives. It’s one of the things I plan to ask God about one day… 🙂
K.A., Sometimes I wonder what that replay will look like too. Thanks for stopping by.
Your post reminded me of a similar experience. We lived in the country in East Tennessee. For some reason, I took a route home I’d never driven before. Very unusual for me. I stick to the known. When I heard the report of a terrible crash on my normal route, I knew the Lord was the reason for my detour.
LuAnn, when something like this happens it gives you a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach, doesn’t it!? Thanks for sharing your experience.
K.A., Candyce, and LuAnn, my apologies for the delayed replies. I was speaking at a retreat, trying to stay unplugged as much as possible. Thank you for your input on this topic of staying in step with Jesus.