Lord, lead me through in the strength of Your Spirit. Grant Your servant the patience to follow through instead of rush ahead. The prize often appears so tantalizing that I seek to take it without journeying to it. Happiness is a treasure worth having. But happiness without holiness is a tarnished coin. Let me first value holiness before I follow You to true happiness, Lord. Joy is a beautiful land where my heart longs to dwell. But would I appreciate the landscape as much if I did not follow You through the valley of sorrows first, Jesus? Even though it is the longer way, it is the way that belongs to You. Peace is a deep craving of my hungry soul. But peace lacking repentance does not truly nourish. It is like eating food with empty calories. The temporary satisfaction only deepens the craving. And love is the reward my heart reaches for. Yet love without perseverance, without truth, without knowing You, Jesus, is only a mirage. Take me through any experience, my Lord, that will enhance the blessing of Your inheritance. Steady my feet so I do not rush ahead to retrieve anything without first following Your way to get there. Lead me through, Jesus, even when I try to go around. Under the Word of the Lord given in John 10:14-15 and the authority of Christ Jesus, I bow in adoring prayer.

I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 10:14-15, ESV