Follow

Yesterday I left my house ready for the day but in no particular hurry.  Typically when you leave my neighborhood you can go right or left and still get where you are headed at about the same time.  I arrived at the intersection planning to go left.  Down the road was a recycling truck.  Bummer.  I thought about just going right instead.  Still “left” was my plan and it was just a matter of passing that truck so I went that way and guess what?  That recycling truck did too, turning down a different street and officially out of my way.

Jesus is the Way.

Let’s assume for a minute that the “way” is an actual path for life.  If we decide to follow Jesus it can be tricky.  Peter loved Jesus and was ready to act on it.  His quick action would often leave him looking back to see where Jesus went.  Thomas, on the other hand, was the guy way behind waiting for Jesus to backtrack and get him back on his feet and moving again.  

If we are honest we probably find ourselves in both of these places at different times in life.  Sometimes we get so excited about following Jesus that we run ahead and forget that Jesus is still supposed to be leading.  There are also times when we get tired or frustrated with the “walk” and we end up comfortably sitting beside the trail waiting for Jesus to come back and rally us forward.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “ All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭CEB

When we think we know where we are going or decide we can’t or won’t…that’s when we get separated. We choose “our way.” We do, and will, find ourselves in those places and yes, Jesus will come find us. The goal however is to stay WITH HIM. If Jesus picks up the pace we should be on His heels, when God sits to rest, so should we.