Field guide · Crossings
Us with Godand Success
Forecast: clear skies and a strong tailwind, with a slight chance of forgetting who made the weather.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
I must have done something right, so I’d better not slip now or God will take it back.
Over GodSheep that know the way
Hard work, good systems, wise choices. The principles paid off, just like they’re supposed to.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
Finally God came through, and now I need the next win to keep this feeling going.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
This only counts if I turn it into something bigger for the kingdom, and fast.
Remember who walked with you up the hill.
Moses warned a people about to prosper that they would be tempted to say, “My power… produced this wealth” (Deut 8:17–18). His answer was memory. Joseph rose in Potiphar’s house because “the Lord was with Joseph” (Gen 39:2), and that is the best thing anyone can say about a good year. So enjoy it, thank him by name, and hold the win as a gift, because “what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor 4:7).
Where the Shepherd isHe is in the room when the good news comes, glad with us. When the seventy-two came back thrilled, Jesus rejoiced too, and pointed them to the deeper joy of belonging to the Father (Luke 10:17–21).
Write down three people and one moment that helped you get here, thank God for each, and thank at least one of those people out loud.
Lord, you were with me in this. Would you stay closer to me than the applause?
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
- Joseph named his sons after what God had done for him, so even his family tree said thank you (Gen 41:51–52).
- David, with a palace and a promise, sat down before the Lord and asked, “Who am I?” (2 Sam 7:18).
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing