Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
April 20, 2012

“Are you Following or Being Driven?”
“The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet, her soft words are oh so smooth. But it won't be long before she's gravel in your mouth, a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.” – She’s dancing down the primrose path to death; she’s headed straight for hell and taking you with her.” - Proverbs 5:3-5 (The Message)

A tour group was being led through the countryside of Israel. The tour guide was explaining to the group that the primary industry in that part of the country was “shepherding.” As he was explaining to them the particulars he made note of the fact that; “…you can always spot a shepherd because the sheep will following him.” They continued on for a while when the group came upon a man with a herd of sheep—but instead of the sheep following him he was “driving” them from behind.
This puzzled the tour guide greatly so he immediately went up to the man leading the sheep and said, “Excuse me. It is my understanding that the shepherd ‘leads’ the sheep, not drive them as you are doing.” The man responded; “You are correct. A shepherd is supposed to lead his sheep. However, I am not the shepherd. I am the butcher.” Those who listen to and are lured in by words of the “adulteress” are led down a road that has only one destination…destruction. And as the illustration so vividly points out the difference is whether we are being driven by the enemy or whether we are following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
One of my favorite books, a devotional actually, is the classic, “My Utmost for His Highest,” by Oswald Chambers. In one of his daily devotions he writes: “There are times in our spiritual life when there is confusion, and the way out of it is not to say that we should not be confused. It is not a matter of right or wrong, but a matter of God taking you through a way that you temporarily do not understand. And it is only by going through this spiritual confusion that you will come to the understanding of what God truly wants for you.”
Sound confusing? Imagine Abram’s confusion when God tells him to go to a place that He would tell him. He had no idea really where he was going but in the end God truly provided the land. Noah’s journey was the same, asked to build something he had never seen and take on a task that was beyond him, yet God led him through step by step. Our Country, State and Church are a vital part of our lives, and the process by which God leads is not always a simple one to understand. Why so many had to die for no immediate reason is beyond our ability to grasp, but we know that God can take this tragedy and change it into Glory! But we must let Him lead us through the confusion before we can see His hand “in the fog.” Is He truly in charge of your fear and anxiety?
Following God’s lead may seem difficult. It may also at times seem impossible—illogical and irrational. But He knows the way much better than we do. Conversely, being driven by the one who seeks to destroy us is not a better option. Do not listen to the seductions or get caught in his web.
Pastor J. T. Carnell