Which Way Should I Go?

 This month marks the biggest change in Susie’s life in over twenty years – as she retires from teaching (8th grade earth science).  The decision usually looked clear-cut.  But she wanted to be sure about closing such a career / calling.  

Leading me to consider how long to continue my day job with hospice.  The opportunity has been a heavenly gift.  But for how much longer should this journey continue?  The timing is becoming more clear.  Sometimes my need for guidance is, when a good road is coming to a close.  When to make a change.  Before the next stage is clear.

Other times the guidance needed is for which way to go.  We often don’t have all the information we’d like.     Do I keep doing what I’ve been doing?  Or change my approach?  Or let go?  How can we find guidance?

 The Lord’s Prayer refers indirectly to guidance:     May your kingdom come, and your will be done.  The better we recognize what God wants for the world, and his people’s role in the world, the better we can understand how to offer our part.  We may need guidance daily, for love and wisdom, to be in tune with the Holy Spirit.    Speak Lord, your servant is listening has been a favorite morning prayer, for guidance for the day’s encounters.

Did Jesus need guidance?  Three occasions in the Gospels stand out.  The forty-day period of preparation in the wilderness.  What was the Father’s plan?  Where?  Was Jesus to spend a year in Israel, then take missionary trips around the Roman world?  How long?  Was this to be a twenty-year mission?  Maybe even more than directions, those six weeks in solitude and prayer were preparation for relationship.  To come into complete connection for the divine guidance and strength he would need each step.

Once on the road, Jesus frequently he spent time alone in prayer.  After the disciples found him praying early one morning, Jesus said, “It’s time for us to go to the next town.”  Prayer made clear where and when he was to go.  Once, Jesus spent all night in prayer, for guidance in choosing his closest 12 disciples.

And one other intense evening, Jesus prayed for guidance – in Gethsemane.  The need was not so much for knowing the right thing to do.  But for the strength to carry out his Father’s will and go the way of the cross.  As the way for us may be clear enough, but it’s hard to keep on!

Show me your ways, Lord, guide me in your truth (Psalm 25).  Which way to go?  Or when?  Or how to get the strength to follow what the Lord has made clear enough?  All part of the guidance that God provides one step at a time.  All through our journey.  You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory (Psalm 73).