Devotionals for the Heart: Why we should go where God leads us

Going Where God Leads
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers?” —Numbers 11:12 (ESV)

This verse (Numbers 11:12) evokes the image of someone carrying someone else: A mother cuddling her nursing child. A husband embracing his wife. God carrying His people. An individual, someone they would provide for and protect no matter what the cost.

Yet as Moses led the people through the wilderness, He became increasingly aware that this was not a task he was able to manage. The people of Israel numbered in the millions, with their problems and quarrels, feuds and illnesses. In context, this is what he is asking of the Lord.

A few verses later, Moses declares, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” (Numbers 11:14-15).

Moses loved God’s people, and I think deep down he was happy to do it, but the weight of trying to carry these millions on his own was suffocating that passion. Perhaps he even felt as though God had set him up to fail. Is there something that you care deeply about, but the task seems overwhelming? Do you see a need that is so great that you don’t even know where to begin?

Some days, I feel that the more I learn, the less I understand. The more I see, the more I want to help, and the more I wonder where to begin. Perhaps it is fair to say that I have begun, but that it has led to more questions than answers!

This is when I throw everything down before the Lord and get on my knees. I cry out to Him because, like Moses, I too have people that I carry in my bosom. It is wrong to compare the significance of my calling with that of Moses. The fact is, we are simply to do our best with whatever God has given us. Like Moses, we also weren’t meant to do it alone.

Luke 10:2 (ESV) reminds us that “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

It is His harvest, and there is a dearth of laborers. As I am wrestling to determine the next steps, it is right to ask God for more helpers. A loving God would not set us up to fail. Moses himself declares, “Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (Numbers 11:29 ESV)

My prayer this year is that He would use my passion to stir up more people within His body, whether it be to join me in what I’m setting out to do, or to seek His heart and pour themselves into whatever He shows them. He has a purpose and plan for each of us.

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, Lord of the Harvest, we thank You today for how active You are in the world. You are at work in every place and every circumstance, more than able to meet every need. I ask You to send laborers into those places where more laborers are needed. If I have not yet been called to a specific ministry, I ask that You would place something into my heart that I could be a part of. I know that where You guide, you will provide. If you have already called me to something, I pray that I would continue to be faithful in it until You steer me in another direction. Thank You for your work in the world. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Song of Reflection: “I Will Go” by Steve Green. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/