Where Are You Staying?

How often do your prayers sound similar to this:

“Father, be with me today. I need you by my side, to feel your presence. I’m going to do *this thing* today, and I need you for it. I’m facing *this something* and don’t know if I can do it alone. So, please, just come alongside me. Be with me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.”

There is nothing wrong with asking our Father to be by our side. Funny of us, even, thinking there are times he is not right next to us. Do you know what I’m realizing more and more, though?

My prayers, when they sound like the one above, normally stems from my plans. What I mean is, the things I’m doing or the somethings I’m facing, are usually my decisions. It’s my decisions that I’m asking God to come alongside me with.

Think about it. How often do we question whether God is with us in those situations he’s called us to? Aren’t they normally the decisions we decide to make that make us nervous and ask God to be with us as we take that leap?

Do not get me wrong, when God calls me to something, I ask him for his strength. Only because, often times he calls me to something out of my comfort zone. But typically it is when I don’t check with him about something first that I ask he come alongside me. Asking for the outcome to result in my favor. And that is what I want to challenge in myself and you.

Remember when Jesus calls the first disciples? Two of them were with John the Baptist when John pointed Jesus out to them exclaiming, “Behold! The lamb of God!” What did they do in response? They followed Jesus to ask him a question.

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. - John 1:38‭-‬39

Maybe instead of praying for God to be with you in your certain situation, you should ask where he is staying. Follow his guidance instead of asking him to follow yours. Because, honestly, he has best in store.

Could you imagine the two disciples calling out to Jesus? Telling him to come with them and John the Baptist? Instead of following Jesus like they did?

They probably would not have impacted the world the way they were supposed to. No, Jesus had a plan for them. He has a plan for you. Are you willing to ask God where he is going? Are you willing to follow when he tells you to come and find out?

Follow his guidance. Stop asking him to follow yours.