Oh, the Places the Lord will Lead you to go!

(Note: This article was published on the Christian Grandfather Magazine.)

In late June, I had the opportunity to read a bedtime story to three of my grandchildren. The eldest grandson sat on my lap. He had asked me to read a Dr. Seuss classic, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

I started to read the book, and without any warning, I got totally choked up. Tears were streaming down my face. My grandson noticed it right away. He comforted me by gently putting his little hand on my cheek. I had to stop reading for a few seconds, catch my breath, and try my best to continue.

It may have been these words that grabbed my heart and caused a flood of emotion I could not control:

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You have to understand that over the past six years, he and I have developed a very close relationship. I have known him since day one. Here is what I was thinking as I was moved to tears at that moment.

My imagination flashed forward a dozen years, taking me unexpectedly to my grandson’s high school graduation. This book is often given to graduates as a gift. Perhaps he would receive it. It might be meaningful to him as he began his new adventure into adulthood. But I wasn’t thinking about him.

That night, as I held tight to this boy that I love so much, I was anticipating the grief that his mom and dad would feel at that moment, just as his grandparents grieved when their daughter, his mother, left the nest. Also, I will be 75 when he graduates. There is no guarantee that I will still be here to see him through. The uncertainty of what the future held for him overwhelmed me, as I continued reading this book.

A few days later, as I reflected on this event, it occurred to me that this well-intentioned message of adventure, freedom, responsibility, and hope for new graduates just might need to be told from a Christian perspective. I want my grandson, his brother and sister, and his cousins, regardless of whether I am there or not, to experience the greatest of adventures as they follow Jesus as their Lord.

Allow me to share several insights that I would want my grandchildren and other children of all ages to have. I want to give them a glimpse into the path of purpose they will have by discovering and living the Christian life: a journey of faith, characterized by God’s leading, wisdom, and abundance. These things are not true because I have experienced them. I have experienced them because they are true.

Discovering God’s leading

In Ps 139:10, we see David’s faith that God’s hand will guide him wherever he goes. God, speaking through David, promises that He will teach us in the way we should go and watch over us (Ps. 32:8).  

Even as a young Christian, I knew that God would lead me. I sought after Him every time that I had to make a big decision, like choosing a college major, how to proceed in a dating relationship, or finding just the right job. I trust that my grandchildren will also seek God’s face first and look to Him for guidance whenever they need it.

Finding God’s wisdom

Wisdom is living out God’s truths, walking in His ways. In the context of suffering and the testing of our faith in Christ, James 1:5 promises that God will provide His wisdom to all who ask in faith. 

I can speak from experience here. There was suffering in the form of persecution from the world that I faced as a Christian college student at a large public university. I encountered spiritual attacks from Satan that bombarded me on occasion and temptations from my own flesh.  I lost girlfriends, jobs, and family members.

As I prayed for discernment on how to navigate these rough waters, I always received the wisdom I needed from the Lord at just the right time. When I chose to walk in the path of righteousness, I generally made good decisions. I am hoping my grandchildren will be able to confidently, consistently, and wisely walk with God as well.

Living the abundant life

Jesus gives an amazing promise in John 10:10. In the context of his teaching on the shepherd and His flock, Jesus explains that He is the faithful and loving shepherd who calls his sheep by name and leads them. The sheep follow him because they trust him. He will lay down his life for those sheep. Their enemies may try to steal, kill, and destroy, but he has come that they may have life more abundantly.

I have experienced that abundant life ever since I became a Christian. God has been my shepherd. I have consistently sensed His presence. He has protected me and provided for me above and beyond all I could hope or expect. He has given me strength to overcome. He has given me true freedom, joy, and peace. My hope for my grandchildren is they too would experience this amazing abundant life for themselves.

Relating to God’s Son

In closing, let me reflect on the Apostle Paul’s prayer found in Eph. 1:16-20. He describes his prayers for the church, but it is an excellent model for parents and grandparents in praying daily for their kids.

Paul starts with an acknowledgement of their faith in Jesus Christ. If they don’t have that, the rest of the prayer is useless. I have to dedicate myself to praying for the salvation of my grandchildren.

Next, Paul writes that he never stops giving thanks for them. He asks God to give them His Spirit so that they can know Him better. He asks God to open the eyes of those he prays for and that they will know the hope to which they were called, the riches of their inheritance, and God’s matchless power.

These are the things that I need to pray for so that my grandchildren can believe, know, and experience God’s truths and live out the abundant Christian life for themselves. I encourage you to do the same.

About the author:

Russell E. Gehrlein (Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, Retired) is a Christian, husband of 40 years, father of three, grandfather of five, and author of Immanuel Labor – God’s Presence in our Profession: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Approach to the Doctrine of Work, published by WestBow Press in February 2018. He is an ordinary man who is passionate about helping other ordinary people experience God’s presence and integrate their Christian faith at work. He received a B.S. in Mathematics from Colorado State University in 1980 and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary in 2015. He is a former junior/senior high school math and science teacher and youth pastor. After serving 20 years on active duty, Russ now works as a Department of the Army civilian at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Seventy articles that he wrote have been posted or published 130 times on numerous Christian organization’s websites, including: the Center for Faith & Work at LeTourneau University, Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, Coram Deo, Nashville Institute for Faith + Work, Made to Flourish, 4Word Women, Acton Institute, and The Gospel Coalition.