In my last post, I wrote about how the blind man trusted Jesus taking him by the hand and leading him away–in fact, all the way out of the village. Curious and curiouser. And I promised I’d share with you what Larry and I are facing right now, small though it is, but still a challenge to allow Jesus to lead us down an unseen path.

We are having construction done on our house and I am hosting a party a week from when I’m writing this. Of course, the contractor had promised the changes would be done, and everything has been going smoothly. 

Several days ago, I told Larry how much I appreciated that he had taken the lead on this project and been on top of it all. Usually, I’m the detail person who keeps track of things and follows through. But it had been so wonderful to relax and let Larry take the reigns. 

Until yesterday.

Some work wasn’t approved by the city and even after it is corrected, we have to wait for the city inspector to come back to verify the needed changes were made. Plus, the house is a mess and I have a housecleaner scheduled to come several days before the event. And with the delays, it’s looking like things are not going to fall into place. How can the housecleaner clean when there will still be construction work to do–like lots of sanding putting up dry wall? (You can see from the photo–we need dry wall!)

As I began to feel tense and grow angry toward Larry for not taking action, it felt like Jesus was leading this blind woman out of the village, leaving all my security behind. I realized my security had been in the fact that things were going well. It wasn’t in Jesus and surrendering to whatever He had in mind–even if it meant hosting the party with imperfections in the house. And horrors of horrors, having to actually clean some of the house myself! Now that really feels like being taken outside the village! 

And when I shared with Larry what I was experiencing, he said, “And I’m being led out of the village wondering if we’re being taken advantage of and that feels like I’m out of control.”

Curious and curiouser. God was using this challenge to work in both of us. I didn’t want to be seen as providing something imperfect and he didn’t want to feel out of control. 

I wonder if the blind man in the Mark 8 story had begun to depend upon the care of his friends rather than keeping his eyes on his God. (Oh that’s a pun, by the way!)

Isn’t that what every single one of us does in life? And then when we’re challenged by being led away from our security, we begin to feel tense, angry, defensive, discontent, critical, etc. In our book, Never Ever Be the Same: A New You Starts Today, Larry and I call that being “hooked” and we know we’re hooked whenever we respond and react the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. Both Larry and I started going into the hooking zone. 


But God gently squeezed our hands and whispered ever so lovingly, “Don’t worry. I’ve got this. It may not be the way you want it, but trust Me. It may feel like you’re outside the village but it’s my pre-determined path. Keep your eyes on Me.”

Both of us have determined to do that. We don’t know the outcome but we know God is in charge. 

If you’re feeling like Jesus is leading you outside the security of the village, will you trust Him? Tweet that!

If you’re feeling like Jesus is leading you outside the security of the village, will you trust Him? To do so, requires surrendering. It’s like saying, “Ok, Lord, even if this doesn’t turn out the way I want and feel comfortable and safe, I’ll trust You and obey You. You love me and want only the best for me. Thank you that this situation gives me another opportunity to grow in my trust in you!”

Remember! Once Jesus and the blind man were outside the village, Jesus healed him. I can’t imagine the rejoicing of that man. Wonder if he had snatched his hand away from being guided by God? Let’s keep our hands in Jesus’ capable and trustworthy hands!