I do a bit of celebrity wrangling.  It is a part of my job.  Recently I was at a big event with red carpet and all…it was a snazzy affair.  I stood to the side of that red carpet and just watched while I waited to bring a celebrity out.  It was fascinating and overwhelming.

As I walked with this person and her manager, she was bombarded with “can you sign this?” “I want a picture with you.”  “What was it like …”  Her name was shouted…. And she withstood it all with great grace.  I wanted to scream. And then we stepped onto the carpet and it increased tenfold.  The shouts grew  louder, people pressed in, requests hit rapid fire, but she kept her eyes on her manager.   She looked to him for direction and protection.  I watched her navigate the red carpet, pose for pictures, and talk with interviewers.  I cringed at the onslaught of shouts,  flashes and camera snaps.  She handled it all with grace.

When it was time for us to leave she grabbed onto her managers hand and put her head down, tucked in close to him and followed.  She would lift her head and smile and nod, but she never broke from his grip.  She never stopped following him.  She never pulled away.  She followed him, closely.  He led her with authority.  He didn’t stop.  He knew the right path and it wasn’t the easiest way, but it was the best for her.  She trusted him.

I watched this all unfold as I followed along behind them.  It struck me how I should hold onto Jesus much the same way.  I should tuck in close, follow His lead, trust that He has it all under control, and know that He has our destination mapped out. Instead of running ahead and slap into a big ol’ mess of crazy.   I should act like I’m on a red carpet — answer the questions with grace, respond to the shouts with smiles and trust Jesus has a plan to move me beyond the chaos.

 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.

Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message