Following Jesus

Matthew 9:9 – As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (NIV)

When I go to the mall by myself, I often come out and have to stop and wonder where in the world my car is. Other times, I park in the parking lot at work, and at the end of the day, I have to look and look for the car. It is so frustrating. Sometimes I'm sure that someone has come and towed my car away. Or I finally spot it a few rows away, go running up to it, and discover it isn't mine at all — but one the same model and colour as mine.

Now, on the other hand, when my husband and I go shopping together, he usually drives. We park, walk into the store, do our shopping, and come out. I trust that he knows where the car is. When he is with me, I don't even think about having to find it. I just follow along to where he leads me.

In this journey we call life, there are times when we trust our own instincts, get lost, and can't find our way. Sometimes, we think we see the way — like I think I see my car — only to find out it isn't the right way. It is only when we trust our Master, our Leader, that we know we are on the right path. He sees it clearly. We just have to follow.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are so short-sighted. Often we see only in front of our noses, but You know the right path for us to go on. You see the whole picture when we can't possibly see it. Help us to trust You completely in every area of our lives. Help us to follow You like Matthew did in days of old. That is what You want from us. Amen.