I Will Follow Your Lead

Lord Jesus. I’m frustrated. I’m coming to you for answers and guidance.

What answers do you seek?

What do you want me to be doing?

I’ve already told you.

Here’s the deal. I was doing a business planning exercise for BoW and

Stop, Michael. It doesn’t matter.

What?

Whatever you’re doing that is not of my will or guidance does not matter. I already know what you were doing. Did you think you were serving me?

I suppose so. But I know from re-reading my key lessons that spending time on something that I think serves you is not necessarily serving you. Serving you means understanding what you want. A servant doesn’t get his master what he thinks he’ll want. He asks his master what he wants, and then obeys.

Precisely.

Would you be upset if I asked to be reminded of your guidance.

No, Michael. It’s fine to ask again. It’s not fine to veer of course, but I always want your course corrected toward me and my will.

At this stage, I want you to simply re-read your key lessons summary a few times. I want those lessons to really sink in and drive home.

There is so much there. On one side, I feel like there’s a significant body of knowledge and guidance there. On another side, I wonder whether other people would benefit from reading it.

They would. You can be assured of that. Many people will be taken back by it, in a good way, and it will challenge them to take another look at how they approach prayer in their own life. This is a good thing. If 100 people read it, 10 people re-examine their prayer life, and 1 person attains true communion with me, this endeavor will have been fruitful.

I understand.

What do you want me to do after I read my key lessons?

I’m not ready to say.

Is there anything I should do while I’m reading?

No, I want you to read intently, and let the lessons really sink in.

Michael, the sooner you learn that my path is best for you, the sooner you’ll get away from the inner turmoil you feel.

You’re right, there is a lot of turmoil inside of me. I’m constantly striving to do something to serve you. But all I have to do is do what you ask. I don’t have to come up with some brilliant idea. And I don’t need to save anyone, because you already have.

You speak truth.

Ok Lord. I will follow your lead.

Thank you.

Learning

Lord Jesus. I’m here because you are my priority. I’m up early to connect with you. I realize that I haven’t been consistent, but I want to get better. I’m sorry for that and I ask for your help.

Michael, you know I won’t interfere with your free will in day-to-day decisions.

I know. But you can enlighten me. you can help me understand. You can help condition my heart, right?

Yes. But that is not what you asked for.

Lord Jesus, I ask that you condition my heart to seek you consistently, first thing each day.

Remember, Michael. You don’t have to be in front of a computer to connect with me.

I know. I just feel like it’s the most effective way.

It’s a way that allows you to capture our communion, but not necessarily the most effective way to connect with me each day, especially when it becomes a barrier to our communion.

True.

Lord, what would you have me know this morning?

What’s on your mind?

Well.. I suppose that I’m curious about all the learning I’m doing.. really, about all the ‘circumstance’ in my life right now. I have my full time PM job, a couple website maintenance freelancing gigs, a larger website marketing opportunity, BoW, and now learning about marketing, copy writing, lean business startup and Scrum. Is any of this your design? How does it all fit together?

It is of my design. I am preparing you, Michael.

For what?

You know that’s part of the journey.

Can you help me see how it all fits together?

They are all elements of a path toward effective use of your time toward my purposes.

So, that means that you intend for me to learn to leverage my time?

In a way, yes. I intend for you to learn how to get the most done possible so that you can maximize the resources I entrust to you.

Ok, I see that with what I’m learning right now, but how does, for example the website marketing opportunity fit in?

In a number of ways. It provides a context and an opportunity to practice the principles you are learning.

Do you intend for me to make a lot of money with that endeavor to invest into your purposes?

Perhaps, I will not say what will happen. It’s really up to you. It’s up to how you take the lessons to heart and apply them.

What about BoW?

BoW is another opportunity to apply what you’re learning, but actually toward my purposes. Keep in mind, that BoW is not necessarily your ‘crowning achievement’. Your ‘crowning achievement’ is direct communion with me, no more and no less. The fruit that comes from our relationship will provide nourishment to others seeking the same.

I only have a few minutes left. Is there anything that you’d have me do today?

First, I want to thank you for choosing me this morning. It will not be forgotten and I hope that you do the same tomorrow.

Second, keep in mind that your experiences today are preparation for tomorrow. What can you learn through the challenges? How can you conservatively try out new approaches in order to improve your effectiveness? Don’t ever just go through the motions.

Third, understand that I am here for you, always. I love you and am here for guidance and support throughout this ‘process’ of learning. Call on me for my wisdom and guidance. I will not disappoint.

Ok, Lord. Thank you. I love you.

I’m with you all day – this isn’t goodbye, it’s hello. It’s ‘how can we walk together today’. I’m here with you Michael. Don’t try to walk without me and then call on me when you think you need help. You need help with each step. Call on me with each step.

I understand. Thank you Lord.