You Have a New Leader
There is an issue that you must settle in your heart. If you do not deal with it properly, it will trouble you daily for the rest of your life. This issue is this: Who is in control of your life? Will you follow your own will or will you follow God's will for your life?
In the New Testament book of Matthew, Jesus said, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.'
The key to living a life of victory in Christ is to take on His yoke and to learn from Him. In other words, we live life according to Christ's words and example. It makes sense to do this because He is all-powerful, all-knowing, present everywhere at once, and He has broken the power of sin with His death and resurrection. Jesus is God and He gives life!
Yet, there is enough of your old nature left in your heart that will rise up and say, 'No! I want my will to be done!' When that happens (and this happens to every Christ-follower), then you must take off your will and put on the will of God. He knows what is best for you! He can do immeasurably more that you can ever ask or imagine. He can take what was meant for evil and turn it for good. He has a plan and an eternal destiny for your life.
Living by God's ways brings strength and stability to a person's life. Jesus told this story ...
'Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.'
If you follow God's will, then your house (your life) will be built on a rock. But, if you follow your own will your life will be built on sand and it will fall with a great crash.
So how does a person find God's Will?
First: I encourage you to read the Bible which is God's Word. It's like God's instruction book for life by which a person can find knowledge and wisdom in how to navigate life. It is also like a letter God wrote to you so you could get to know Him and what life in His kingdom is all about.
Second: Pray to God daily (and often throughout each day). Prayer is simply talking to God and taking time to listen to Him. As you listen, you will begin to sense God's presence and leading you by gentle impressions upon your inner man and bringing back portions of the Bible you have read. When you pray, you can bring to Him your concerns, questions, struggles and, of course, the good times of life. During prayer, be sure to thank Him for the good things with which He has blessed you.
Third: I want to encourage you to interact with mature Christian believers who can teach you how to apply God's Word in your life, how to face temptations, and how to follow God's Will. Much of this interaction with mature believers will happen initially at church, but will also increase as you get more involved in the different Bible Studies and Fellowship Groups offered through the church.
As a new believer, learning to follow God's Will means that you will have a completely new way of thinking and responding. Each day, you can pray as Jesus prayed: 'not my will, but Yours be done.' The Lord will give you strength and wisdom to be obedient. At each point in your daily walk with God you must stop and ask, 'What would Jesus do?' and then, do what He tells you.
So, who is going to be in control of your life? As you travel life's journey, I pray you will give control of your life over to your new Leader, Jesus Christ. May His will be done in you and through you today.
