When Your Path Feels Erratic: Trusting the Mysterious, Wild Leading of the Holy Spirit
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Photo by tyler nix on unsplash
On a recent walk in my favorite public garden, I found myself mesmerized by a meadow of tall grass at the edge of the garden.
Like a mermaid’s hair caught in ocean currents, the grass was swaying to and fro in the wind, its movements sometimes rhythmic, sometimes wild and unpredictable.
As I reflected on this vista of dancing greenery, I couldn’t help thinking about how I myself have felt a bit like wind-blown grass as I’ve sought to follow the Holy Spirit and faithfully pursue God’s callings in my life.
As a college student, I started off studying chemistry before deciding to major in psychology…
Eventually, my interest in psychology led me to become a professional counselor…
After working at a local counseling agency, I switched to working at a crisis pregnancy center before returning to work at the counseling agency…
Then I left the agency for a second time and started my own private counseling practice…
Then I closed my practice and returned once again to the counseling agency before finally leaving the mental health field completely and diving into writing…
Around the same time, I started a coaching business…
A few years after this, I added “freelance editor” to my resume…
And, as I’ve shared recently, I hosted an Airbnb for the past year…
Now, I’ve pared down on almost all of these activities and am focusing primarily on writing at the moment.
WHERE THE WIND BLOWS
From the outside looking in, the path to where I am today might appear erratic, and I’ve felt a little self-conscious about it at times. But I’ve learned that this is often just how journeying with the Holy Spirit looks.
Remember the words Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in Luke 3:8? He said, “The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (HCSB).
Here, Jesus is talking about the mystery of how we are “born again” by being filled with the Holy Spirit, but I believe the Spirit’s mysterious, wind-like activity is also expressed in how He guides us into His purposes and plans for our lives.
AN UNCONVENTIONAL COURSE
Have you experienced this kind of leading in your own walk with God? Do you feel like you don’t know where the “wind” is coming from or where it’s going and that God is steering you first this way and then that?
Do you feel confused or embarrassed because you, or others, think your path should look more like a set of arrow-straight railroad tracks intersecting a Midwest prairie than like a series of mountain switchbacks?
If so, I want to encourage you to trust the Spirit within you. Don’t worry if your course isn’t conventional or doesn’t make complete sense. God knows exactly what you need for the next leg of the journey, and the experiences that come with today’s twists and turns just might provide the tools you need to navigate tomorrow’s temptations, challenges, and opportunities.
WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT
Of course, I’m not talking about flaking out on responsibilities or giving up on God-given tasks prematurely.
Perseverance and dedication are keys to Kingdom growth and fruit. But at the same time, learning to “go with the flow” of the Spirit is part of walking by faith, not sight, and it’s essential to becoming all God created us to be.
Today I pray that you have the wisdom to discern when it’s time to stick with a job, commitment, or volunteer position and when it’s time to let go and move on to the next thing God has for you.
As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I’d love to hear from you! You can contact me here or through the comment section below!
In purpose and faith,
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