When the Spirit Takes the Reins

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” — Psalm 143:10 (NIV)

One summer in my early teens, I worked at a horse stable. While the skilled riders took guests on trail rides, I was given the more menial tasks — mucking stalls and brushing horses. 

My friend George, though, was a real horse whisperer. He could take a nervous, skittish horse and, with patience and calm and a little sternness, help it become steady and rideable. Not always without a little drama — I saw him tossed more than once — but he understood something essential: a horse must learn who is leading. It has to be gently humbled, accepting the bit and saddle, before it can trust the rider.

Our life with God isn’t all that different. When we first turn toward Him, we acknowledge God as our Master. But every day afterward becomes another lesson in yielding — learning to trust His guidance again and again. Like a well‑trained horse, we must allow the Spirit to take the reins and lead us.

Of course, even the best‑trained horse sometimes needs re‑training. So do we. There are seasons when we resist the Spirit’s prompting, dig in our heels, or charge ahead on our own. In our stubbornness, we can become a danger to ourselves and others. The only way forward is to return to humility, releasing our willfulness and letting God’s will steady us once more.

And when we do, something beautiful happens. In this companionable relationship, the Spirit leads us along all kinds of paths. The trail still has dips and rocky climbs, but we discover that the way is more level when we are not fighting the One who guides us. We are not spared the ups and downs — but we are never alone in them.

Holy God, you know how easily we resist your leading. You see our stubborn places, our restless hearts, and the moments we forget who we belong to. Draw us back to you with gentleness. Teach us again to trust your Spirit and to walk the path you set before us. Make our hearts willing, our steps steady, and our lives open to your shaping grace. Lead us today and lead us well.  In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

Grace & Peace

Pastor Tim