“Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake.” (John 13:37)

Frequently in life we may encounter those times when we cannot understand why we cannot do the things we want to do when we desire to do them. It’s those times that seemingly God allows a blank space in our life, but, yet we still want to hurry and fill in that blank space ourselves. Seldom do we ever think that the blank space is a teachable moment for our good.

It could be that the meaning of the blank space is to teach us what sanctification really means, or it may appear after sanctification to teach us what true service or serving is about. However, in either case, it is important to understand that you should never run ahead of God’s guidance. If there is the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding.

One should realize that whenever there is doubt – don’t. In the beginning one may not see clearly what God’s will is: the severance of a close friendship, a marred business relationship, or something you may feel strongly about and believe that it is His will for you to do. Even still, never do it on the impulse of that feeling.

If you do, you may end up causing difficulties that will take years of time to put right. Wait for God’s time to bring it round and He will do it without any heartbreak or disappointment.

When it is a question of providential will of God, wait for God to move and it will then be your time. In the scripture lesson, Peter did not wait on God, he forecast in his mind where the test would come, and the test came where he did not expect.

Remember what Peter said? “I will lay down my life for Thy sake.” Peter’s declaration was honest but quite misguided. “Jesus answered him, … The cock shall not crow, till thou has denied Me thrice.” This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself of what he was capable.

Natural devotion may be all very well to attract you to Jesus, to allow you to feel His power, presence and passion, but it will never make you a true disciple. Natural devotion will always deny Jesus somewhere or other along the journey. But when we really wait on Him and allow Him to fill those blank spaces instead of us trying to fill them with what we want, then it’s truly your time to follow Him wherever He may lead.

Jesus is waiting today to fill in the blanks with His will.

REV. DR. JAMES TAYLOR is pastor of Jericho Baptist Church in Farmville, his email is: jht3@verizon.net.