The Lord is My Shepherd

My friend Tim is a legend! I first met him when he came to do TSM at the King's Arms. I have absolutely loved watching his journey and seeing him grow in security and stature. Tim has unbelievable talent when it comes to music. What I love about him is the way he doesn't shy away from the gifts God has given him, and also how he carries them with incredible humility. Jesus is clearly Lord of Tim's life. I believe the favour he's experiencing in this season bears witness to that.

This blog post is full of truth and wisdom, for Christians in their 20's, but also for all believers. Do you know Jesus as your good shepherd? Do you believe that following His lead is the best thing you can do with your life? Have a read of Tim's thoughts and let them inspire you to keep saying yes to your heavenly Father.

Here's a reminder of the questions I've been asking:

- Who are you and what do you do?

- What is God speaking to you about the moment and how are you responding to Him?

- What would be your tops tips for people in their 20's to thrive in their relationship with God?

Hi there! My name’s Tim. I’m 23, I’m a professional musician and until very recently I was living in Bedford - but more on that later. I committed myself to Christ at a young age, having been raised in a loving Christian home. I don’t remember when knowledge about God turned into knowing God personally, but my young life was shaped by undeniable evidence of Him and His kindness. Just as an example, at 13 I was regularly receiving chiropractic treatment for scoliosis. I was prayed for by a friend and in a moment my curved spine straightened up! It’s pretty difficult to deny Jesus when he literally bends your bone back into shape in your body (sorry if you’re squeamish!). It was soon after this that I got baptised.

Now, ten years later, I’m about to embark on a crazy adventure to the USA to study music at a prestigious music school. The story of how I got there is long and convoluted, but it has highlighted one thing: my Jesus really is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). He set me on a path years ago, and time and again He has led me to green pastures and still waters, as the Psalmist says.

Five years ago I said no to the Maths degree that I’d spent my entire education preparing for because I heard the whisper of God calling me to something else. Five years on, in the beauty of hindsight, I can see how God has guided me; surrounding me with good people to grow my talents and more significantly to invest in my character. His rod and staff (imagery used in Psalm 23 for His loving discipline) have set to work on the brokenness in my heart and deepened the process of transformation. Then, at His right time, the opportunity I’ve been waiting for, to study at this college, has arrived. I’ve even been given the financial means to get there, something I wouldn’t have been capable of in my own strength.

Jesus has led me well and He continues to do so. Along the way I have discovered that He is faithful and He is kind. When I follow Him, He does not lead me into temptation, but He delivers me from evil (Matthew 6:13). He establishes the work of my hands (Psalm 90:17). This is something I think it’s key for young adults to learn.

God really is good and following His lead is the best plan for our lives.

The biggest decisions we have to make as believers all boil down to one thing: do we trust God enough to go His way, or do we choose to lean on our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6)? We face obstacles to trusting God every day. The news cycle seems relentlessly depressing. It’s scary to do what God is asking sometimes. The Bible is confusing and often hard for our 21st century minds to grapple. Why does God so often seem to disagree with contemporary wisdom? Quite frankly, sometimes we just want to make our own decisions and not have to worry about the consequences.

But in Jesus we see a man who did everything the Father asked, even unto death (John 5:19). Jesus knew that even when God’s way seemed like the toughest choice, it was the right choice. He had a track record of trusting in His Father and His Father showing up. So do I, and so, I imagine, do you.

Don’t forget His past faithfulness!

We also read that Jesus was the most joyful man on earth (Hebrews 1:9) and one of His names is Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Isn’t that what we all want? A life full of peace and joy? Let’s follow Jesus’ example in following our Father through the power of the Spirit; fixing our eyes on Christ the prize and not looking to the right or the left. He will direct our paths. His way may not be the easy way, but it is the best way. If you’re in the valley of shadow right now, persevere my friend. There is a promise of abundance for you on the other side, a promise of His presence with you right now, and a promise of goodness and mercy chasing you along the way.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

- Minnie Louise Haskins

Wendy Mann Equip | www.wendymannequip.com

Building Family, Prioritising God's Presence, Extending God’s Kingdom