Time of Preparation
Begin by taking inventory of your surroundings. Are things in your vicinity conducive to a time of personal worship? Are there any changes or adjustments (turning off tech, making yourself comfortable) you need to make before you begin?
When you are ready, take some time to sit in silence and prepare your heart for worship. Ask God to clear away any distractions that might keep you from being truly present in this moment.
Commission
In this final movement, we are encouraged and equipped for the work God would have us do.
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,
’This is the way; walk in it.’”—Isaiah 30:21 (NIV)
One of the best illustrations I’ve ever heard about how the guidance of the Holy Spirit works came from pastor and author Henry Blackaby in his book “Experiencing God.” As he tells it:
For twelve years, I was the pastor of a church in a city surrounded by farming communities. One day a farmer invited me to visit him at his home. His directions went something like this: “Go a quarter mile past the edge of the city, and you will see a big red barn on your left. Go to the next road, and turn to your left. Take that road for three-quarters of a mile. You'll see a large poplar tree. Go right for about four miles, and then you will see a big rock. …” I wrote all of this down, and only by God's grace did I eventually manage to find the farm!
The next time I went to the man's house, he was with me in my vehicle. Because there was more than one way to get to his house, he could have taken me any way he wanted to. This time, I didn't need the written instructions. You see, he was my map. What did I have to do? I simply had to listen to him and do what he said. Every time he said “Turn,” I did what he said. He took me a new way I would not have discovered on my own. I could never retrace that route by myself because the farmer—my map—knew the way.
In our lives we often wish for God to give us the whole plan up front, but often as we make our way on the journey we have to trust that the Spirit of God is alongside us, guiding us to where we need to be. Our task is to listen and act when he says “Turn.”
How have you experienced God’s guidance in your life? What voices has he used to help you stay on the path? How have you been used by the Spirit to help guide someone else?
And what about this moment for you? Are you seeking guidance? Perhaps today is a good day to stop, be still, and listen—not for the entire map, but for the next turn.
Spend some moments in silent prayer, thanking God for his faithful guidance thus far and asking him for ears to hear what the Spirit whispers as your next step.
SONG OF COMMISSION: Step By Step (lyrics here)
Today we feature two songs by Rich Mullins. The first is a simple chorus he released in 1991. The second is an expanded version of the song he released in 1992. Let the first song be a time of simply declaring your trust in God. Let the second be a time of reflection on the deeper themes of trust and guidance.
SECOND SONG: Sometimes By Step (lyrics here)