God’s word is your guiding star. The pillar that leads.

Just as the Israelites upped stakes and followed when the cloud or fire lifted, your compass is the present proceeding Word.

Jesus cut satan down to size when He said:

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

The Proceeding Word

The proceeding word is the key. The word that “goes forth from the mouth of God” (Isaiah 55:11).

• To proceed:
  “begin a course of action.”
  “to move or go forward or onward, especially after stopping.
  “to progress”

My present proceeding word is:

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life”(1 Thessalonians 4:11 NIV)

and this beautiful practical instruction:

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace” (Romans 14:19 KJV)

So what does this mean?

It certainly means I have to reassess my ambitions. To measure them by this new directive.

And then consider the activities I embark upon, asking first:

Does this lean in or lead to a peaceful pace? Or does this stir anxiety and feed ambitions in a direction that does not lead to quietness?

It’s easy to get caught up in the rush. To jump in different directions earnestly hoping more excitement + energy will equal the elusive breakthrough you’re reaching for.

I am guilty of this error.

But I’m learning to test the actions I take in the same way I try on new clothing or a fresh pair of shoes.

They may be perfect for someone else, but do they fit me?

If they are not comfortable (and by that I mean genuinely, not just uncomfortable because they are unfamiliar) I’m predisposed to place them back on the shelf. FOMO is losing its sweaty grip.

JOMO is my juice of choice. The Joy Of Missing Out.

Don’t buy into actions that don’t fit. Don’t be convinced just because someone else looks like a rockstar that you’ll look the same wearing the same actions and attitudes.

Find your own fashion, and fashion your life after the present Word of God.

What’s your proceeding word right now?

That wonderful word is the power of God to help you begin, to go forward and onward, and to make progress.