Walking on our favourite beach, Kuku beach near our home in Levin New Zealand.

A simple truth struck me the other morning when reading John 10, the passage about Jesus being our Good Shepherd. Very familiar and loved.

Jesus says in verse four, "...he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice".

That simple statement, 'he goes ahead of them.....' stood out in a fresh way.

Jesus goes ahead of us!! Every day, in every place, Jesus has entered ahead of me. Whatever room, whatever forum or group, whatever place, he is there ahead and present.

This makes a huge difference in my thinking and sense of confidence. The old prayer 'O Lord please be with me...' is somewhat misplaced.

For many years I struggled with a crippling sense of failure. This feeling that what I had planned would not work out but be a humiliating disappointment. Even as a seasoned Christian worker who had seen amazing blessing and results this aweful cloud stayed over me.

One day a thought dawned on me that became a key that set me free. It was a simple prayer or statement based on a simple truth. Here it is....

'God will be there, and it will be good'.

This statement of truth became my prayer and outlook before every event and action. It had a profound affect.

A sense of anticipation and confidence developed. I looked forward to seeing what the Lord would do. Instead of expecting the worst I expected blessing. Why?

 Because Jesus was there already. I was entering into a place where his Presence and purpose was already in play.

The simple truth is on every step and in every place of our Pilgrim way:

Jesus goes ahead, there are two sets of footprints, ours and His.