The
trip was 400 miles long and there were 4 cars traveling together. Two
drivers had no idea about the route, so it meant we had to stay
together. If you have never driven that far in a caravan, believe me
when I tell you, it's difficult! Safety demands that you keep some
distance. Distraction means that one driver will start to lag too far
back. Aggressive drivers will cut into the caravan, breaking it up. And
then there's me! I like to set my own pace, stop when I want to get a
cup of coffee. To make it work, each driver must stay aware of the
others and go with the leader. In other words, "get in line!"
Are
you a good follower? Many times in the Gospels we hear Jesus inviting
people to follow Him. He did not negotiate terms with them, offer to
share the lead with them, or even hold out incentives to them! He simply
said, "Come, follow me!" Many people want to be a friend of Jesus.
They want the life He promises, the peace with God He makes possible;
yes, the benefits of knowing the Lord of Glory, but on their own terms.
Discipleship is not for them! They want to walk with Him as long as He
is willing to share the point position with them, letting them go where
they want to go. When He leads into some hard place, they resist,
perhaps even stop. When He leads them to profound change, they refuse.
"Anyone
who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the
driver's seat-I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and
I'll show you how." (Luke 9:23, The Message) How do you respond to
that call? Will you get in line? The example of those first disciples
inspires me. Matthew was working his tax collector booth at the city
gate, but with great faith, he took the call. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him." (Matthew 9:9, NIV) "As
Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon
called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the
lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I
will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed
him." (Matthew 4:18-20, NIV) Did you note when they responded? At once!
True disciples follow.
They accept the mastery, the discipline, the pace, the path of the
Leader. In other words, they 'get in line.' It's not a short line,
either. The wonderful and sobering truth is that there are those who are
following you and me. This great caravan of life gives us the
opportunity to bring others to the Life of Christ. But, how will they
find the Way, if we are wandering, resistant, or rebellious?
Here
is a word from the Word. Meditate on it today. Pray for grace and
obedience to genuine discipleship, so that you will have no hesitation
to say, "Follow me as I follow Christ."
"He
said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let
me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their
own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Still another
said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by
to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-62, NIV)
_________________
" Follow, I Will Follow Thee"
Follow, I will follow Thee, my Lord,
Follow every passing day.
My tomorrows are all known to Thee;
Thou wilt lead me all the way.
Jesus calls me; I must follow,
Follow every hour
Know the blessing of His presence,
Fullness of His power.
Jesus calls me; I must follow,
Follow Him alway.
When my Savior goes before me,
I can never stray.
- Howard and Margaret Brown, 1935
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