Hold My Hand

Psalms 73:23-24 NIV

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

For so much of my life and still to this day I can find myself seeking glory in an earthly sense. Always seeking to be accepted, respected, and desired. The world and popular culture celebrate and encourage these things and through the misguided, deceived opinions of others, as well as media and advertising I am guided on an endless circle track like a horse pursuing a carrot on a stick. It seems I had to reach a point of desperation from being constantly misguided and taste the best the world had to offer and the bitterness it always left in my mouth to finally seek the Lord. When I finally stopped trying to fill my hands with all the things that hold no eternal value and began looking to Him I was able to see that He was always with me, I just wasn't always with Him. He has held my right hand and attempted to guide me my whole life, but I was so deceived and distracted by the world that I didn't notice until my brokenness was undeniable. Today I seek His counsel, but not nearly as much as I should, and when I find myself pursuing anything aside from His will and His glory all I have to do is look back on my experiences and remember the best this world has to offer has and will always leave me unfulfilled.

*Father God, it's your glory I seek and it's your counsel that will lead me there. Forgive me for my willful pursuit of self-glorification and gratification. Thank you for never letting go of my hand and always attempting to lead me back to you. It's in Jesus name I pray, amen.*

Shane Gehlert