Who is Leading? / Streams

 Who is Leading?

O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps - Jer 10:23

“Lead me in a plain path” (Ps. 27:14).

Many people want to direct God, instead of resigning themselves to be directed by Him; to show Him a way, instead of passively following where He leads. —Madame Guyon

I said: “Let me walk in the field”;  

God said: ’Nay, walk in the town“;  

I said: ”There are no flowers there“;  

He said: ”No flowers, but a crown.”

I said: “But the sky is black,  

There is nothing but noise and din”;  

But He wept as He sent me back,  

“There is more,” He said, "there is sin  

I said: “But the air is thick,  

And fogs are veiling the sun”;  

He answered: “Yet souls are sick,  

And souls in the dark undone.”  

I said: “I shall miss the light,  

And friends will miss me, they say”;  

He answered me, “Choose tonight,  

If I am to miss you, or they.”  

I pleaded for time to be given;  

He said: “Is it hard to decide?  

It will not seem hard in Heaven  

To have, followed the steps of your Guide.”  

I cast one look at the fields,  

Then set my face to the town;  

He said: “My child, do you yield?  

Will you leave the flowers for the crown?”  

Then into His hand went mine,  

And into my heart came He;  

And I walk in a light Divine,  

The path I had feared to see.  

—George MacDonald