So lately, He has been teaching me some lessons through Quincy.
Moving here has been an adjustment for Quincy. We had a little tiny yard space in Chicago so Quincy could go out whenever he needed to. Now, we are on the 44th floor with no outdoor space. We have gone from Quincy initiating going outside to putting him on a schedule. He is doing great! I walk him in the morning, late afternoon and late evening. He is a champ.
We live about 2 blocks from Central Park. Between our apartment and Central Park is a lot of sidewalks, light poles, fire hydrants, bike stands and edges of buildings. Quincy wants to linger in the concrete jungle. He is smelling all the messages and leaving his mark wherever he can.
What he doesn't know is that Central Park is just around the corner!
It offers him wide open spaces, unlimited trees and actual grass! There are still multiple messages and more than enough opportunities to leave his own mark. There are cool breezes, sunshine and places to stop, rest and linger.
I try to tell him that if we just keep moving, we can get to the park and he can take care of all his business in a much nicer, dog friendly spot. But no matter how much I tell him about the promise of green grass and tall trees, he just doesn't seem to get it. Maybe he isn't sure that he believes me. From what he can tell, the concrete jungle is pretty spectacular.
As I was trying my best to hurry him along, it dawned on me that I behave in exactly the same way! I get focused on what is right around me when the Lord is trying to get me to look in a different direction. I'm trying to get comfortable with my surroundings while He is trying to show me something different.
The Lord will say to me, "This is good, but I have something different, even better, that I want you to experience." There is risk in that. I can't see what is ahead and I KNOW what is here right now. I'm pretty happy in the concrete jungle but the Lord has lush gardens and wide pathways for me if I will just trust Him.
Are you content in your concrete jungle?
Is the Lord gently tugging on you and trying to lead you somewhere new?
Do you really believe that He always has your best interest in mind?
Do you trust Him to use everything in your life to make you more like Jesus?
I am learning to listen to the whispers and the shouts. I am learning to trust the Lord's leading, even if I can't see what is ahead.
He is good.
He will only lead me to places that will play into the process of sanctification.
He is trustworthy.
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul."
Psalm 23:1-2
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