by guest author Laura Nixon

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭

So my kiddo started a new ‘game’ lately. When I’m walking, he puts his head against my back and follows right behind me. My EVERY move. I go left, he goes left. I go right, he goes right. I go faster or slower, he goes faster or slower. He can’t see around me so he’s trusting my every move to be his next step. Sounds like loads of fun, right?! My thoughts too. Until I started realizing that this is exactly how God wants us to be with Him. Relentless faith. Following so closely and trusting His every move. Not looking at what’s around us, or what obstacles may come, or even the outcome, but following His every step. Having our eyes fixed on Him. Or in this case, our heads.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

When Jesus called each of the disciples, He went to them, right where they were, and said, “Follow me.” (John 1:43, Matthew 4:19, 9:9). He didn’t tell them where they were going. He wanted them to trust Him enough to lay down their lives and follow Him. Not one time did Jesus lay everything out for them, or tell them the plans for their future. He simply said, “Follow me.”

Jesus tells us this very same thing today. “Follow me.”

As much as we want to know our future or what’s next, Jesus doesn’t lay out a plan of our entire life for us and then tell us to decide if we want it or not. He simply says, “Follow me.” He wants us to let Him be our eyes and our shield as we take refuge in Him. He wants us to have relentless faith, trusting Him enough to lay down our lives to follow Him, keeping our eyes fixed on Him, taking one step of obedience at a time, and trusting Him with the outcome. Letting HIM direct our paths, as we follow every step He takes. He may not take us on the paths we thought, or even the roads we chose, but we can be sure of this, He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, He will ALWAYS work things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

So, we have a choice to make. Whether it’s starting a relationship with Him, making Him the Lord of your life. Or, whether it’s obeying  Him day by day, minute by minute. But our Father is saying to us, “Follow me.” Do we trust Him enough to do it?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭

“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:38-39‬ ‭

“The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:43‬ ‭

“And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew‬ ‭4:19-20‬ ‭

“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.” Matthew‬ ‭9:9‬ ‭

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy‬ ‭31:8‬ ‭

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭