When I was learning to drive, former procrastinators, my dad told me if I was supposed to be following another driver, that I should do a good job of keeping up. Don’t lag behind so when the driver of the lead car looks back, he won’t wonder where I am or if I’m lost. Don’t tailgate; just keep up.
Our theme this year is Follow Close. We’re six months in, so it’s a good time to check our position. I admit to lagging behind Jesus several times since January. I guess in His case, we can “tailgate.”
Covid-19 has taken over our roadway. It’s thrown up road blocks and detours. It’s closed some roads. But during all this time, if we’re following Jesus up close, we realize He’s not shaken, confused, or even disappointed. It may appear He’s thwarted by detours, but He’s still sovereign, in charge. Just like when it appeared that religious and political people were taking His life, He was actually following the divine design to give His life as our ransom.
This is the Jesus we cling to in our enormous personal and national pain, grief, fear, confusion, and dismay. Problems that have long been on our road now grip us all. We must follow close to Jesus to navigate and build new roads.
In spite of illness or current events, we can stay so close to Him that dust from His sandals gets on our feet. We let Him be in front. We follow Him instead of the crowd. We’re steady on because He is.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him (seek His guidance) and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
How can you make sure Jesus will see you right there when He turns to check on you?
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