“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Jesus says to Matthew in Matthew 9:9 “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.
It should be that simple… stand up and follow him. Him being the one that is the giver of life. The one who lavishes love. The one whose mercy triumphs judgment. The one who is just in all his ways. The one who is sovereign of all. The one who is trusting and faithful. Him who is God Almighty. King of Kings.
Yet why do I struggle when he says follow me. Fear? Worry? Control? Distrust? Lack of Faith? Lack of Trust?
Last week I stayed at our complex and helped out with a summer camp. There were 12 kids: 4 girls, 8 boys. I was completely in my element with these girls. It was as if I were at home again nannying. It was wonderful!
Everyday we went for a walk, this was my favorite part of the day for various reasons. One the scenery, mountains and weeping willows on the left, towns on the right. Two the weather was awesome, sunny, mid 80’s windy and perfectly shady. Three the four girls and I smiling walking hand in hand.
On one of our walks as the girls and I were holding hand they started to mimic my steps. If they were off, they would skip a step so they could sync back up with mine.
It didn’t hit me till later that this is what I am not doing with Jesus., but this is what I should be doing…walking and following in his footsteps. How was it so easy for these 4 girls to trust me and follow in my footsteps… enough so that they would misstep or skip a step to be in line with mine? they don’t know me. We just met. I can barely speak to them…
Why isn’t it this easy for me to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? I know him. I love him. I believe in him. I trust him, at least I tell myself that I have every reason to trust him…so therefore I trust him. But yet I can’t help but wonder am I really following my Heavenly Fathers footsteps?
