To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
do not let me be put to shame;
do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all day long.
Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for your goodness' sake, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he teaches sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
This beautiful psalm gives birth to one of the simplest of prayers:
God you lead. I will follow.
Repeatedly the psalmist asks to be taught God's ways, God's path. The psalmist believes that many paths are available and that confusion among them is inevitable- the asking for instruction and guidance is imperative. "Make me know your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me".
To know about God is a starting point, but the psalmist wants something more. The psalmist wants to be in a life-giving relationship with God, where God is the teacher, leader, guide and the psalmist is the one who brings a heart of surrender, humility, patience and trust to the relationship - knowing full well that these are the attitudes in which God's guidance will flourish. Why would it be any different for each one of us?
Hearing God's guidance is crucial if we intend to be bearers of light and peace. Esther de Waal notes how vital it is to clear out and quiet ourselves in order to heed the guidance.
In the complex of my daily schedule, with all its demands, I am reminded that it is important, and more than that, fundamental and essential, to keep clear, open space in my own heart. This means in spite of all the demands, the distractions, and the difficulties that besiege my time, I shall try to carry a heart of stillness.
Let this day be one of a renewed desire to open your heart to God's guidance and follow what you hear.
For Reflection:
What are the many paths you are being offered to walk? How do you discern which is God's path for you?
When have you been aware of God's guidance in your life? How might you seek God's guidance with greater intensity and intention?
How important is it to your living- that God is the one who leads and you, the one who follows God lead?
Consider using this simple prayer: God you lead - I will follow as a mantra in your times of pausing throughout the day.
