Proverbs 16:7-9 (NLT)
7 When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them.
8 Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Sometimes I just don’t get it and I wonder how it’s supposed to work. When people’s lives please the Lord, even their enemies are at peace with them? Really? I suppose it’s possible, probable really, if we’re living a life that pleases the Lord. I think it says more about me, about all of us, than it does the statement itself or the Lord.

Because, how many of us can have little with godliness and be happy, content, even overjoyed? Very few, me included.

We do make our plans and we act out on them, but the Lord does determine our steps. Who in this world hasn’t felt that little nudge, that proverbial tickling of the ear with a little feather saying “wait, go this way, don’t do what you’re thinking of doing”? Or felt the 4”x4” upside the side of your head when he’s really serious about getting you to change your course? I know that experience all too well. Do you ever stop to wonder why he bothers? Why he cares? Why he wants to lead us? It’s a powerful reality when you lean into it.

Fact is that he’s God and we’re not. That’s pretty simple yet we keep putting ourselves in his shoes and we simply can’t fill them.

When we lead lives that please the Lord, he will give us peace – even with our enemies. We will be content and joyful with little of the world and lots of God. The Lord will guide our steps because we’ll give up the steering wheel and get out of the way. In the little glimpses I’ve seen in my life when I let go of the wheel, I see it, but I’m to enamored with all of the trappings to pull myself out completely.

Romans 8:12-18 (NLT)
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

Be led.