Where He Leads I Will Follow

Time Out For God

Where He Leads I Will Follow
By Danna Appleby

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26

Scripture paints a beautiful picture of Jesus as He walked along the Sea of Galilee and then down the busy streets of the city calling to each potential disciple to come and follow Him. Each one was going about his own occupation. Jesus knew they would eventually go into the world to preach the gospel. He even saw the one who would later betray Him.

Let’s first take a look at the first men Jesus called to follow Him, two brothers, Simon Peter and Andrew. These fine young fishermen were casting a net into the lake. Jesus not only asked them to come and follow Him, but gave them a valuable promise that He would make them fishers of men. The two brothers did not hesitate but “left their nets and followed Him.” (Matt. 4:18-19)

An amazing thing happened when Jesus called two other brothers, James and John. They immediately got out of the boat, leaving their father and his hired men and followed Jesus! (Mark 1:19-20)

When Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, he was working in a tax collector’s office. Matthew did not hesitate when Jesus called him, but like the others he immediately got up and followed Him. (Matt. 9:9)

These are just a few examples of how the disciples were chosen, but I think we get the picture. It’s astonishing to see how quickly all of these brave men willingly left everything, even laying down their belongings and leaving their own families to follow Jesus.

Notice the key sentence Jesus used to call these men: “Come and follow me.” Jesus Christ still beckons us today to come and be followers of Him. When we follow His leading, He can touch our hearts in such a way that we become willing to lay down our lives to follow Him. We become willing to set aside worldly pleasures and our own hopes and dreams to take the hand of Christ to follow His leading.

I follow close behind You; Your strong right hand holds me securely. Psalm 63:8, NLT

Joy springs forth when we begin to follow Christ. Exuberation overflows within our spirits when we take that first step to follow Him. Fulfillment like we’ve never known before comes when we begin to walk in our destiny to do God’s will. There is no greater satisfaction than knowing you’re doing what God has called you to do.

What does it mean to follow Christ? It means surrendering our hearts to Him and laying down what “we want” for what “God wants.” A great example of that is when Jesus prayed in the garden before His crucifixion and said: “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” (Matt. 26:39) You see, even Jesus cared more about doing the will of the Father than doing His own will.

My heart goes out to the brave ones who feel the call to go to the mission field. Many go into desperate third world countries, sacrificing their very lives to answer the call of God upon their hearts. It may surprise you that most missionaries not only sacrifice their lives to follow the will of God, but must raise their own support for themselves and their families. Many go without even the simplest of worldly possessions. I am in awe at these people who leave their families and do so willingly. I have a missionary friend that has not seen her mother and family in eight years. I am reminded of a passage that goes along with this:

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:37-38

Missionaries are just one example of those who give of themselves. There are those who minister from a pulpit right here in America. Many must leave their homes to go to states far from their families. My father and mother can be counted in that number who left their loved ones behind to follow God’s call upon them. When I was growing up, my family never knew what it was like to have even one family member living close by. It was very difficult for us, but nevertheless my parents took up their cross to follow Christ wherever He led them.

What about those who do not feel the leading to stand in a pulpit or travel far from home? Are those people not just as important to God? Absolutely! Every single person who follows after Christ is important to Him. You may feel God leading you to help the poor and needy right in your hometown. Or, you may feel God leading you to bring light to those around you where you work. You may feel led to teach Sunday School or help in many other ways at your church. You may feel led to encourage someone on the phone from time-to-time or visit the sick or elderly in a nursing home. Wherever God leads you is where you need to go. All of those things are what I believe following Christ is all about. It goes beyond accepting Him as your Savior.

Not long ago I heard of a man who felt God had led him to shine shoes. He was a powerful witness for Jesus Christ every day right there at his shoe shine stand! This man seized the opportunity God gave him to lead others to Christ and to pray for them. What an example!

What about you? Has something been on your heart for awhile now? Has God been speaking to you with His still small voice? Will you lay aside your own personal hopes and dreams for the calling God has for you? Will you say, “Yes, Lord, I will follow You. Even though I fear the first step, I will go wherever You lead me.” Be blessed this day as you answer His call.

WHERE HE LEADS ME (by J.S. Norris – 1890)

Where He leads me I will follow

I’ll go with Him, with Him – all the way

Prayer:

Father, help us as we lay down our own selfish desires to follow closely after You as You lead and guide us. Help us touch many lives as we follow You. Help us to follow Your leading whether it be across the sea or right in our own hometown. Help us to see Your plan for us. Help us be of help to people right here in our own land Father. Help us to reach someone today as we follow You. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GUEST BOOK