Joel M Bradshaw

 48Then I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD and blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.–Genesis 24

The steward trusted God and was led by God on the right path. He will return home to Abraham obediently having both honored God and put his master’s wishes first. And his first response is reverence and praise to the God who has led him by the right way. The Hebrew also could read “in the way of truth.”

I was once the final pastor of a small church in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago. The second to last action of that church was to end as a congregation and merge with another. It was a season of profound trust in God. The final thing we did was celebrate with a concluding worship service and praising the God who leads us. That old building was eventually torn down and a new one built. I joined the larger church on staff and together we began to bring the Gospel to our neighbors once again.

We recently celebrated 5 years as that new church and it provided me a great opportunity to praise the God who led me. I look back at the legacy of faith of that faithful church. They trusted God with their present and future and God has provided mightily. Thousands of people have entered those doors in those five years and so many lives have been blessed. I personally went from serving as a solo pastor to joining a larger staff with gifted leaders. I was placed in a ministry lane perfectly suited for me and I get to serve in the areas where I have the most impact. I celebrate having good leaders to follow who know how best to see my story and gifting used for God’s glory.

I am so grateful for the leadership of God. I praise the God who led both me and my once little church to this current season. How has God led you? What is he expecting you to learn in your current season? Are you praising the God who leads you? Stay grateful, my friends.–JMB