Isn't it frustrating when you try to get someone to do something and they just won't do it? Maybe you want your husband to rub your feet without being asked, or maybe your wife is never able to have dinner ready when you get home from work. Do your kids pick up their rooms right away when you ask them to? Probably not! This is the way of life it seems as we struggle every day with things that are out of our control. The saying, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" is SO true! Are you trying to make your spouse, child, family member or close friend drink of the living water of Jesus and they are having no part of it? Well, welcome to the club! Funny part is, the leading IS our job, the drinking part is God's!
When I think of leading a horse, I think of a nice easy walk where the horse is willingly walking along side of me and there is no struggle involved. Is that how our leading of others to Christ looks and feels? If you are like me then probably not. A lot of the time, my leading feels more like I am pulling and tugging and straining to get them to just take one step! God tells us in His Word that many times, words are not even involved in the leading; that it is through our actions, our gentleness and our love, that others will walk with us to meet with the Lord. What an encouragement it is to know that it shouldn't be a lot of frustrating work to lead others to Him. Then, once we do get them to the brook of Living Water, it isn't our job to pour the Water down their throat! God will take it from there.
So, if you are living with a non-believer, or you have a loved one who hasn't yet trusted in the blood of Jesus for their forgiveness of sins, take heart! It is when we are obedient to the Lord in our leading, that He will refresh the one led to Him with what he needs. We can stand at the water's edge all day long trying to get those we've led there to drink, but that will most likely only frustrate us and cause the one on the bank to dig their heels in even harder. My husband shared with me after he came to know the Lord, that had I pushed him or tried to force my faith on him, he would have resisted; it was through the changes that were taking place in me and the patience that I exhibited, that he was comfortable in taking the walk at his own pace. But, it was only through God's power that I was able to be patient and to make those changes.
Who are you pulling towards the Lord? Are you really making any headway? What do you need to do to allow them to comfortably walk at their pace and in God's timing? Do you force God's Word on them through your words? Or, do you use God's Word to intrigue them and instill curiosity? If your leading others feels like work, then you are trying too hard! Be obedient and do as God asks you to do but then trust God to do the hard labor and quench their thirst.
1 Timothy 4:12-16 and 1 Peter 3:1-4
1 comment:
As I spend a majority of my time in predominately Muslim countries I find it hard to even catch them and get the bridle on! With His help I hope to catch a few before I am done.
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