He Goes Ahead

📖 Faithful Friday — He Goes AheadWe were in John 10 just last week, but I came back to the passage and noticed another little phrase I had walked right past.Jesus says of the shepherd:“…he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”— John 10:4Don't miss those words:“He goes ahead of them.”The Shepherd doesn't stand behind the sheep shouting directions.He leads from the front.And maybe you need that reminder today.You may not know what next month holds.You may not understand where the road you're walking is going.You may be asking God to show you how everything is going to work out.Psalm 23 reminds us:“He guides me in the paths of righteousness…”And even when that path goes through the valley, David's confidence is NOT: I understand this road.It's: “You are with me.”I love this picture:The sheep doesn't get a map.The sheep gets a Shepherd.💭 Today's TruthYou don't have to know where the road leads when you know the Shepherd who leads you.Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us:“Trust in the LORD with all your heartAnd do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He will make your paths straight.”Following Jesus doesn't mean we never make plans.It means our plans remain surrendered to the Shepherd.We plan.We pray.We use wisdom.But underneath it all is a simple posture:“Jesus, You lead. I'll follow.”🙏 Today's PrayerLord Jesus, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You that I don't have to know everything that lies ahead because You are leading me. Forgive me for the times I have trusted my own understanding more than I have trusted You. Help me listen to Your voice through Your Word, stay close to You, and faithfully follow the next step You place before me. When the road is uncertain, remind me that You are with me. Jesus, You lead. I'll follow. In Your name, Amen.Maybe today the question isn't:“Lord, will You show me the whole road?”Maybe it's simply:“Am I staying close to the Shepherd?”You don't need the whole map.Stay close. Follow Him.🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.