Show Me The Way

Posted by: Jo | November 28, 2014

Show Me The Way

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long”

(Psalm 25:4 – 5)

When I was a child one of the fun games we all loved to play was. “Follow The Leader” It was a game to be played outside and the choosing of who would lead was an important part of ensuring that a wild, exciting adventure would transpire. The objective of the game was to follow closely the leader wherever he or she chose to go. It also involved copying body actions e.g. arm waving, hopping and most exciting, being ready to stop suddenly without notice. Crawling under obstacles/ climbing over others was all part of the fun. Looking back on those days I can see why parents suggested this game as by the time it ended all would be totally exhausted, too tired for any mischief, ready for a quiet time of reading. I was thinking back to those days this week after listening to our sermon in church this Sunday. We have been studying what it means be a true disciple of Jesus and what he meant by those all-important words, “Follow me”.

“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.’” (Matthew 4:19)

The staggering thing for me is the next verse in which we read that without any hesitation they both leave behind their valuable nets and allow Jesus to lead them they do not know where.

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Matthew 4:20)

They sensed in some special way that Jesus was worthy to leave everything behind, worthy to stay close behind, worthy to have his every word impressed upon their very beings. He would become their leader. They would walk in his footsteps.

Jesus still calls those who think him worthy, to follow him. What does that mean for us who long to be a true disciple of his? If we think back to my childhood game, we get a little glimpse of what following means. Firstly we have to trust the leader completely to lead us on the true path. We need to trust that what he asks us to do we will be able to accomplish, even though the path he chooses may not be always easy and following him may include obstacles to overcome and rough sections.

“Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am my servant will also be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.” (John 12:26)

A wonderful way to start the day is to pray the words from Psalm 25:4 asking the Lord to make us aware of where he would lead us that day. Asking him to show us where we can be most effective in ushering in his kingdom.

Copying Jesus’ most beautiful characteristic, LOVE, becomes a part of our nature if we follow close behind our Saviour and all those around us will be aware we have “been with Jesus” and want to also join us in following him.

Peter and John were so on fire in their love for him that the crowd noted;

“…they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

Following Jesus brings about incredible blessings for us. If we hold tightly to his teaching we will never be led astray by the world’s deceptive words. He has promised that sort of darkness will never overtake us if we stay firmly behind the light of his own presence.

“…I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

A wonderful hymn to encourage and praise discipleship.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus;