To always be led by the Lord?

To know where He wants you to be and where He wants you to go next?

Okay, okay, I see where this spiritual thought is going.

The Lord didn’t just lead the children of Israel and then tell future generations that we are out of luck from having that same guiding influence.

He may have led them in a more physical sense.

But He undoubtedly still leads us today.

I mean, General Conference is the perfect weekend to reflect on that.

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night”. (Exodus 13:21)

Day and night, His light and His guidance are there.

Now, seeing His hand, finding His guidance, listening to the whispers of the Spirit… I think that is part of our challenge now.

The other part is humbling ourselves enough to want to look for the guidance in the first place.

So here’s what I’ve been reflecting on:

1. Am I humble enough to actually seek God’s guidance and will in my life, or am I plowing forward just with what I want?
2. How am I able to listen and hear when I do receive divine guidance?

Those answers change around day by day.

But if I keep the questions in mind, I find that my heart is led a little easier.

Molded a little more thoroughly.

And turned toward God’s guiding cloud and fire, both day and night.

He still leads and guides us. Where have you felt led this weekend?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Leading and lighting the way  first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

My favorite leaders haven’t always been the most organized.

My favorite leaders haven’t necessarily made the best executive decisions.

My favorite leaders haven’t always been the smartest.

My favorite leaders HAVE strengthened me.

They’ve known me.

They’ve cared about me and reached out to me.

They’ve taught or presented or trained on things that I really need to learn in order to become a better person.

The focus isn’t on them.

The conversation is always on others.

I’ve had bishops, relief society presidents, and young women leaders who have strengthened me.

I’ve had bosses, principals, and team leads who have strengthened me.

I don’t know that everyone agrees that this is what makes a good leader.

But to me, it makes sense.

The ultimate, real, true purpose of us being here on earth isn’t to learn how to become the most efficient person we can possibly be.

It’s not to become that leader with all the charisma and fame.

It’s not to lead the biggest empire.

It’s to love God and then to love others.

It’s to take the strength we get from knowing our standing with God and to turn that around and spread it to others.

It’s to teach and build and share.

It’s real servant-leadership. 

It’s the type of leadership Jesus Christ showed while He walked the earth. 

Real leaders strengthen others.

Who has been a leader who has strengthened you? I want to hear about them, or pass this message onto them to let them know the impact they’ve had. 

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Real leaders strengthen first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I looked at my floors, literally covered in crumbs from breakfast and lunch and headed toward the pantry to grab my broom.

This was my time to get stuff done before the little ball of energy woke up and needed me to be with him constantly.

That freedom, today, meant cleaning things up.

“Can you read this book to me?”

This was the time when I usually put a show on for my daughter so that I could be uninterrupted, but she was holding a book in her hand.

I could just tell by the way she asked me, that she needed my attention.

The spirit whispered to me that this was where I needed to spend my time today.

And so I spent my moments of “freedom” cuddled up with daughter on the couch, reading her books.

We ended up laughing a lot. She started pointing out letters that she saw.

It was a really fun moment.

When my son woke up, the floors were still covered in crumbs, and they didn’t get cleaned up until much later.

I also didn’t finish a work project that I had on my schedule until after the kids went to sleep.

I can’t “have it all”.

I can’t have an orderly home and well-adjusted kids and run a business and spend time with my husband and fulfill my calling and study my scriptures all at the same time.

I can’t bear all that.

It’s too much.

And then add in some trials…

I can’t bear all things that have been given to me.

But.

I’m okay with that.

I can still be of good cheer.

Because I don’t have to do all those things and be all those things at the same time.

Just like the little voice that gave me the confidence to walk away from the broom and pick up the book in that moment, the secret solution is the Savior.

He leads me along.

He gives me that quiet assurance that my kids will be fine if they watch another show while I finish up my task. Or whatever I need to know.

Life can be confusing and overwhelming.

And the Lord so lovingly gives us the blueprint of peace to follow:

“Ye cannot bear all things now;

“Nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along.” D&C 78:18

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post I will lead you along first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.