I Will Follow

I recently prayed one of those prayers that in hindsight will be harder to live out than to pray initially. I committed to the Lord I will follow Him anywhere and do anything He calls me to do. I have submitted to meeting any need He reveals anywhere in this world He calls me to. No matter how big or small. No matter how convenient or uncomfortable I will follow. Thus far that has included building a bedroom and handicapped bathroom for a family in Seminole. I am just now beginning to trust God and ask other people to trust God with me to build a hospital in Copan Ruinas, Honduras which includes raising $100,000.

God’s assurance to me after that prayer burned the truth in my soul, that in the future He will not call me to lesser things but to believe Him for even greater things. [Eph 3:20] There are needs locally, nationally, and globally. I often feel overwhelmed and helpless. Who am I to do anything of significance for the Lord? That is the wrong mindset. The right mindset is that I am to be willing to follow where God leads. When He reveals His path and will I am to obey no questions asked.

Thus far I know God has called my family to follow Him to Seminole and to pastor FBC. I know I am called to write for Him and trust Him to put those writings into print. I also know I am called to meet tangible and physical needs as the Lord leads. I am called to believe God for the impossible. It does not matter how big those needs might be. I trust God to come through and move mountains and provide abundantly to meet those needs. Following is not always easy but it is adventurous.

It is one thing to sit in my office in the comfort of this chair and say I am willing to follow God. It is a different matter to book the plane tickets, to hold the passport, to pack the bags, to say yes and commit your self to go. I cannot help it. From the depths of my heart I want to follow God in obedience. That might mean writing another book. It might mean sharing the gospel with a neighbor or friend. It could also include giving away my last dollar, preaching in far away places, loving the unlovely, trusting God for large amounts of money for His purposes, and to lay my life down on His altar along with my family. [Rom 12:1]

[Matt 16:24] is a clear call that my life is to be yielded to Him as His disciple and to follow where He leads. He might lead me to stand boldly for truth in the midst of fierce opposition. He might call me to blind leaps of faith with no guarantees for safety or success except the precious promises of His word. He might not ever allow me to live in comfort or complacency. I am still compelled to follow Him.

Why? He redeemed me. Jesus purchased my redemption. He suffered for my sin. In adoration and as a continual act of worship I commit my life to follow. I know from past experience that following the Lord can be costly. I have suffered financially, emotionally, and often been misunderstood and maligned but I have continued to follow. Being His vessel is the passion of my soul.

I do not know where all this following will lead except to eternity. I will follow Jesus though. He is my life abundantly and everlasting. He alone is my source of unending joy. He is my peace and hope. He planned my life when I was in my mother’s wound. Why would I not follow? He is trustworthy and dependable. [I Thess 5:24].

There is a new song by Chris Tomlin that has been ministering to my heart in recent days. The chorus says, “ Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. When you move I’ll move. I will follow you. Who you love I’ll love. How you serve I’ll serve. If this life I lose I will follow you.” That is my heart’s cry.

Jesus I commit my life afresh to follow you. I don’t know where that will lead or what challenges I will face along the way. I only know I love you and want to follow you when others make excuses. You can have my life. Every ounce of it. You can have all my days. My money is your money. I surrender my possessions to do with as you please. I relinquish any rights to call the shots. You are the leader and I am the follower. I lay my life, my family, and ministry on your altar. Lead where you wish and I surrender to do what you will and purpose to be done.