Who Is Leading?

"O Lord , I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. 10:23).

"Lead me in a plain path" (Ps. 27:14).

Many people want to direct God, instead of resigning themselves to be directed by Him; to show Him a way, instead of passively following where He leads. --Madame Guyon

I said: "Let me walk in the field";
 God said: 'Nay, walk in the town";
 I said: "There are no flowers there";
 He said: "No flowers, but a crown."

I said: "But the sky is black,
 There is nothing but noise and din";
 But He wept as He sent me back,
 "There is more," He said, "there is sin

I said: "But the air is thick,
 And fogs are veiling the sun";
 He answered: "Yet souls are sick,
 And souls in the dark undone."

I said: "I shall miss the light,
 And friends will miss me, they say";
 He answered me, "Choose tonight,
 If I am to miss you, or they."

I pleaded for time to be given;
 He said: "Is it hard to decide?
 It will not seem hard in Heaven
 To have, followed the steps of your Guide."

I cast one look at the fields,
 Then set my face to the town;
 He said: "My child, do you yield?
 Will you leave the flowers for the crown?"

Then into His hand went mine,
 And into my heart came He;
 And I walk in a light Divine,
 The path I had feared to see.

--George MacDonald

The public domain version of this classic devotional is the unabridged edition of Streams in the Desert.