Following and Trusting : Encountering God Out of the Box

This week I found myself diving deep again into John 10, reflecting on a powerful conversation I had recently with a woman about healthy community, especially within the context of church and ministry organizations. It was a conversation filled with revelation for both of us.

She asked me about how I lead the women in the Freedom Coaching Circle, curious about how I approach leadership in a way that promotes spiritual growth and freedom in Christ. As I explained my process, something profound clicked for both of us.

You will notice that through the application process for the Freedom Coaching Circle, I explain that I don’t teach the women in the group to rely on me, but to rely on their Good Shepherd, Jesus. 

In the early stages of their journey, they may ask me many questions about my perspective on various situations in their lives. My response is often, “Let’s ask Jesus!” My response is not out of avoidance, but because I know that His answers are far better than anything I could provide. My heart is to lead them into deeper communion with the One who knows them better than I ever could.

In fact, just recently, I reached out to one of my fellow coaches for guidance on a question I had. Instead of giving her opinion right away, she paused, asked Jesus, and then shared what He said. The response she gave was so profound that it left me in awe. When I told her how powerful her answer was, she simply laughed and said, “I asked Jesus!” We both laughed, but it was a moment of realization—this is what discipleship looks like. She’s got it! She knows who to rely on.

The Real Thief in John 10

This brings us to John 10. When you hear the verse, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give life, and life abundantly” (John 10:10), who comes to mind as the thief? Most often, we think of the devil. That’s a common interpretation. However, when we read the passage in its full context, something else comes to light.

In John 10, Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees. He’s explaining to them that they, as the religious leaders of the time, were acting as thieves and robbers, stealing life from the people. (Yup, go read it again.) The Pharisees had created a culture of legalism, laying down rules and burdens that left no room for people to hear God’s voice or experience true freedom. In essence, they were leading the sheep away from their Good Shepherd and vulnerable to wolves. (Note also who the wolf could be when you re-read the passage.)

This passage reveals that when religious leaders fail to direct people to Jesus and instead rely on human systems, traditions, or their own authority, they rob life from those they lead. Jesus contrasts Himself with these leaders by declaring, “I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:11). He lays down His life for the sheep. His voice leads to freedom, abundant life, and deep healing.

Leading People to Hear the Shepherd’s Voice

This revelation has deeply shaped how I lead the women in my community. I don’t want to be the “talking head” at the front of the room, handing out rules or strategies disconnected from the heart of God. Instead, my goal is to lay down biblical keys, share testimonies of God’s goodness, and ultimately guide women to hear the voice of God for themselves, and how to test what others share with you when they believe they heard something from God for you too. (This freedom also prevents heavy handed ‘prophetic’ words and points women back to what Scripture teaches instead, to test it all out and keep what is good.)

Recently, I had a private session with a client who was amazed at how easily she heard God speak within seconds after asking him a question. She had expected to pour out her pain in great detail and for me to give her strategies and advice. Instead, we simply invited God to lead, and He spoke directly to her heart. She wept as God addressed her deepest pain and brought healing that no human words could ever accomplish.

This is why I don’t rely on my wisdom, but on His. When we lead people to encounter Jesus personally, they receive healing, comfort, and guidance directly from the Good Shepherd. And what could be better than that?

The Power of a Relationship with the Good Shepherd

When we stop relying only on religious structures or human wisdom and instead guide people toward a personal relationship with Jesus, everything changes. Jesus’ voice brings clarity, peace, and abundant life. The more we lead others to Him, the more they discover the power of His presence and the depth of His love.

This is the heart of what I aim to do in Coaching in Freedom: to teach women not to rely on me, but to rely on Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the healer of hearts. He is the one who brings life in abundance, and He is the only one worth following.

In our beautiful community, we have a wide range of women who have a common thread: they are deep feelers who care deeply. We not only have moms, nurses, doctors, counsellors, but also pastors and other ministry leaders who have been transformed. (In my private sessions, I’ve had the honour too of leading men, by special request, who serve as pastors and elders.)

When church and ministry leaders now lead in their local church fellowships, they walk in freedom, hearing the voice of their Good Shepherd above any human voice. As a result, their circles are being transformed too. It’s a beautiful ripple effect inviting Holy Spirit to take the lead, rather than people.

As you reflect on John 10, ask yourself: Are you leading others to the Good Shepherd? Are you seeking His voice for yourself? The world is full of noise, full of thieves trying to steal our attention, our joy, and our peace. But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, offers something far greater—He offers us full life.

A Call to Action

If you’ve been relying on others to provide all the answers or have been weighed down by religious expectations, I encourage you to pause. Take your questions, your pain, and your uncertainties directly to Jesus. He longs to speak to you, to guide you, and to bring healing to your soul. 

And if you’re in a position of leadership, consider how you can lead others not to rely on you, but to rely on the One who offers true freedom and abundant life. Our calling is to point people to the Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, trusting that His voice is always better than ours.

(Again, as ministry leaders we are called to equip the people to follow God in freedom, not suck the life out of them and expect them to rely fully on us.)

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Good Shepherd. Thank You for laying down Your life for us and offering abundant life in return. Help us to hear Your voice more clearly and to trust You in every area of our lives. Guide us to lead others to You and to rely on You as the ultimate source of wisdom, healing, and freedom. We love You and thank You for being the One who never fails us. In Your name, we pray. Amen. 

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This week, as you reflect on who you’re trusting and relying on, may you find comfort in the truth that Jesus is always near, always speaking, and always ready to lead you to life. Let’s commit to following the Good Shepherd, who never leads us astray.

Feel free to learn more…

Learn more about the Freedom Coaching Circle through the stories published here: www.merriellen.com/books

Learn more about my private sessions or the community of women:

www.merriellen.com / www.freedomcoachingcircle.ca

Merri Ellen Giesbrecht

Life Coach & Spiritual Director