Teach Me and Lead Me

Teach Me and Lead Me ||  Psalm 27:11-14  ||  Angelle Sullivan

Years ago, I stumbled across the quirkiest sweatshirt that I just had to have. It read in big, bold letters across my chest, "Jesus is my homeboy." When I looked at it, I knew people would love it and inquire how to purchase it. But, oh boy, was I wrong! Yes, I was ridiculed and questioned about my salvation. During that time, I was much younger, and although I was a believer, I didn't quite understand Jesus. So, after a few encounters with those who thought my little sweatshirt was making a mockery of the Savior, I decided to trash it because they had convinced me I was wrong.

Fast-forward fifteen years, and here I sit thinking about how I wish I could wear it and, yes, defend it. Today, if I were to encounter those very same people, I would first define the word homeboy. I love the way an Urban Dictionary user defines the word "The epitome of a friend. Somebody you kick it with. A person who always has your back. You can't go through life without a homeboy. It's hard to have more than one because they're one in a million." Whew, what a great definition. Unfortunately, the younger me wasn't able to articulate the meaning because I wasn't around Jesus enough to know He had my back in the toughest situations, especially against my oppressors. Most importantly, I didn't know that I could learn from Him.

If I were to travel through scripture and find someone to give me an example of Jesus being their "homeboy," it would be David. In Psalm 27:11-12, David cries out,"11 Teach me your way, LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations." David viewed Jesus as a friend who would protect, teach, and lead him.

Studies show that we learn more from our friends than from experts. Although Jesus is the expert on life, David could have easily called on worldly authority to protect and guide him.
I may be making light of a sweatshirt, but the words have so much meaning if you treat Jesus as such. Now that I am older and life has shown me that there is no greater friend than He, I can learn and acquire guidance daily, and with that comes protection. David's cry is one of many of our cries; it is probably someone's cry now. However, just as David asked for God to TEACH and LEAD him, we should know that Jesus sits at His right hand and is rooting for us because we consider Him our "homeboy."

Prayer:
Father, we come to you praying just as David prayed that you will prompt us when you are TEACHING and LEADING us. Often, we are constantly asking, and you're telling us to look around because the lesson and path are under our feet and between our eyes. So please help us to be still so we will know your perfect will. In Jesus name, AMEN!