Following His Lead

I'm sitting at the airport in Destin, Florida, waiting to fly back to St. Louis, pondering the goodness of God and His amazing hand of direction.

A couple of months ago we began feeling like God was leading us to sell our home and begin planning on moving to Florida. We tested the waters and put it on the market. It sold in a few weeks for almost our asking price. A house in our daughter's subdivision in Freeport, Florida came on the market and again we felt led to make an offer. We prayed that God would stop the deal if we were not to purchase it. Our hearts desire was to follow His lead and stay in the center of His will. We've lived long enough to know that things may appear to be perfect, but lead to misery if done in the flesh and not by His Spirit. So, one step at a time we moved forward, prepared for whatever He had in store, whether it would be an open or closed door. As I wrote in a previous devotion, the door seemed closed. We made an offer that the agent had not responded to, so we assumed that was a no and the door to Florida was shut. As we were preparing for our move to an apartment in St. Louis, I was going through my books and sorting them. Some I was keeping, others were going to my son and some to my daughter. I came upon a book that had a piece of paper sticking out. Wanting to clean it out, I went to the page that it was saving...I read the note, it was from about 15 years ago and I know I hadn't opened that book since. I then pulled the paper out and in big letters on the page it said, "YOUR GOING TO FLORIDA!" I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit and knew He was speaking to me! I went in to my husband and said, "I don't know how and I don't know when, but we are moving to Florida!" He felt the same way. At that point I fully expected that the house there would somehow be ours. The next day...3 days after the offer on it was ignored, we heard back from their agent and made a deal on the house.

I'll be honest with you, houses and things don't mean anywhere near as much to me as being in the will of God, but it's such an amazing blessing when you see His hand actively at work in your life.

We are currently living in an apartment in St. Louis and we have no idea when He will move us there or what His plan for that house is in the meantime, but we do know we are ready when He is. We just have to wait and follow His lead. I'll be honest with you, it's a new sensation, owning a home in such a beautiful place that we can't move into yet, while living in an apartment, but that's ok. With new feelings come new lessons, growth, patience, trust and grace.

Don't ever force things to happen. That only produces fleshly fruit that won't satisfy. Trust Him with the details of your life, stay focused on Him and follow His lead... one step at a time! Wait when He says wait and move when He says move. It truly is an adventure when you know He is in control of your life and you're living in the center of His will! His plans are amazing!

Isaiah 30:22 (NLT) Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.

Psalm 32:7-11 (NLT) For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble.You surround me with songs of victory. The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.