2 John verse 9 (NIV)
Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God;
Isaiah Chapter 30 verse 21 (NIV)
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.”
Galatians Chapter 5: verse 25 (NIV)
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
It was the phrase, “Anyone who runs ahead…” that caught my attention today first of all. Sometimes my mind can go into overdrive, thinking ahead and wondering how certain situations will work out. But God doesn’t want us to do that. Sometimes we need to stop and catch our breath. That’s more likely when we will hear what, if anything, God will say about the matter. John is quite blunt in his counsel to his readers. As I pondered on why it was so important not to run ahead, the verses from Isaiah came into my thoughts.
Perhaps the reason why we need to keep in step with what God is doing, is that if we run ahead, we are less likely to hear what He wants to say to us. Running ahead means we are impatient and trying to do things in our own strength, not God’s. He wants us to walk with Him hand in hand, and that way we will always be able to hear what He says to us, and most importantly be able to respond in return.
Dear Lord,
I know I can be guilty of running ahead, trying to plan things out, but I need to remember You know what lies ahead, even when I don’t. So help me to keep in step with the Holy Spirit. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.