“Follow Me” (03/29/2024)

Yesterday, I went to Sun Prairie to get my meds and decided to stop and check on my oldest daughter while I was that close. When I left her place in the country, I headed off with confidence. I knew these roads; I’d lived in Sun Prairie for 20 years. Within five minutes, I realized I’d taken the wrong road. But I wasn’t worried; I knew these roads. I drove on to the next intersection and made a decision. I turned right. But the farther I went, the more nothing looked right. Finally, I came to a road I knew. I checked my GPS for the direction I had been traveling and decided that I needed to turn left. And within 10 minutes, I was where I wanted to be. Moral of the story? The way we’re going won’t always lead us to our destination.

Turns out, “old traveler” that I am, I can get lost with the best of them. Complete one daily exercise in humility: check. But the LORD let me go. It’s called free will. And when that “freedom” led me astray and I knew I wasn’t going to end up where I wanted to, I relied on another. In life, I rely on the LORD who inspired me to use the tools at hand (the GPS) to get back on track.  

Life for me daily is like my trip yesterday. I start out headed off to do the right thing in the LORD. And then, without realizing it, I let too much daylight get between me and my guide, the One upon whom I rely. And I find myself lost, like that sheep in the parable. I’ve been blessed in that the LORD does always find me. And every time, and yesterday was no exception, I admit to the LORD I’ve realized just how much I need Him.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, told us, “if you wish to follow me, deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow me.” On any given day, my reasons for being lost can vary: I don’t want to follow because I want what I want instead; I am not willing to pick up my cross because that means suffering for love of my LORD; I don’t want to follow, I want to lead.

Today, the LORD’s cross and my cross are very much on my mind. I so want to follow Jesus. I so want life in abundance with Him. I so want a life created in love and spent in love leading me home to LOVE itself. But as I gaze upon the crucifix in this room, I realize the price our Savior paid to give me that future. I realize my own role in His suffering. I utter with deep conviction, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

The LORD has called every one of us to deny ourselves and to pick our crosses and follow Him. This day as we contemplate the price He paid so that we might have life, may our hearts and minds be filled with His love for us that is transformative. May we find ourselves flooded with spiritual awareness of who He is and who we are because of Him. May we promise anew to remain in Him and beg that He remain in us.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.