0907209 Follow Anywhere

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our trustworthy God! He is the only one who never lets us down and the only one with the ability to do whatever we need.

One morning several weeks ago as I walked into work, two maintenance men were entering at the same time. One of them seemed to be the expert at carrying supplies, while the second man was the expert on opening doors. The second man was also the only one who knew his way around the building. As the first man indicated his lost condition, the second man said, "Just follow me, wherever I go." The first man joked, "That could get me in trouble."

This simple interchange stirred my thinking. I don't know anything about those two men - whether the one was a good leader or not, nor whether the other would be wise to follow his example. My thought was that no one can really make that statement, "Follow me, wherever I go." Even the best of people will fail and at some point would lead us on a wrong path.

My thoughts didn't stay on other people, though. Instead, they turned to the only One who can make such a statement. God is the only one who can say, "Follow me, wherever I go." Or perhaps the better wording would be, "Follow me, wherever I lead."

God will never lead us astray. He will never lead us into anything wrong. He will lead us constantly, though. Sometimes that path will be beside the still waters and into the green pastures. Sometimes that path will go through the dry and barren desert. Sometimes it will rise high up into treacherous mountain passes. But if it is where God leads, it will be right.

He will lead us into times of loneliness and preparation, times of trial and sanctification, times of confusion and questions, and times of abundant fruitfulness and service. Since life is one long journey, we can't get to the paths and locations that we prefer without first passing through the paths that are more challenging.

If God is leading us, and He is, that means He is never far away. We can follow close in His footsteps and right by His side. It is okay to follow God anywhere - in spite of our doubts, in spite of the questions or disapproval of others, in spite of danger or deprivation. He will not lead us wrong.

"Savior, like a shepherd lead us,/ Much we need Thy tender care;/ In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,/ For our use Thy folds prepare:/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;/ Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,/ Thou hast bought us, Thine we are."

Many service-oriented songs carry this idea of following God. "Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me." "I will follow Thee, my Savior, where'er the pathway may go." "Where He leads me, I will follow." (And the second verse, just for missionaries - What He feeds me, I will swallow.)

That's really what the Christian life is really all about - following our Shepherd. In Christian growth, in obedience, in service, in faith. If we use Him as our guide and as our example, we can't go wrong. So keep following our trust-worthy Shepherd, wherever He leads.

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com