Following Our Guide

I love to travel all over the world. There are times when I choose to get a guide and times when I don’t. On my last trip to London, I got a guide to watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. She took us down the street and through the park past all the other groups. She gave us history of the palace and some little known facts along the way. Then she passed Buckingham and kept going. We came to a blocked off area just passed it and she said, “Most people fill the area around Buckingham, but here you will see more.” We watched the guards line up, practice their music and even play a fun tune before they marched to the palace. Once they passed us, she took us quickly across the park to where King Charles lived. We were able to see the guards up close as they marched by. Our guide showed us more than we would have ever seen on our own and put us in position for incredible photos and memories that we would have missed without her.

In John 16:13 Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure. He said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future” (NLT). The word the original language used for guide here is “hodegos.” It refers to someone like a tour guide who knows the path and way to take. Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit, who knows God’s path for you, to guide you along it. He is knowledgeable about everything you need to know and is there to teach it to you and instruct you on the path God has for you. It’s up to each one of us to listen to Him, to follow Him and to learn from Him. He will guide us into all truth if we will listen.

Romans 8:14 says, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Have you been trying to go through this life without being led by the Guide God has given you? Have you been trying to do it on your own? Romans 7 and 8 paint a clear contrast of those who try to live life on their own and those who are guided by the Holy Spirit. When you try it without Him, it can result in dead ends and feelings of being miserable as Paul wrote. To be led by the Spirit as described in chapter 8 is life giving. The Guide He sent us knows the ins and outs of life and will position us for the great things God has for us. He won’t lead us to where we think we need to be. Instead, He will guide you into green pastures and beside the still waters. Don’t rely on your own understanding or learning. Rely on and be led by the Guide God sent you. Trust in the Holy Spirit and follow His leading.

Photo by Lanju Fotografie on Unsplash