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Let’s Play Follow the Leader!
“Man, I am one old dude.” That realization hit me two years ago in China as I stood in a studio packed with Chinese believers. At age 48 I was the oldest one in the room, and it wasn’t even close. No contest. Case closed.
This wasn’t a negative realization, but it struck me powerfully that I was standing in front of the next generation. I found myself asking God, “How can I help and encourage them? What life lessons can I share as they blaze new trails for you?”
Since then, God has been leading me to share 3 key truths. One of them is reflected in this single verse:
“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.” Luke 22:39
The context of the verse is that Jesus knew he would soon face the cross. The disciples didn’t know what to think. It was a time of confusion and fear for them. Earlier, the crowds had welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem crying “Hosanna!”. Now the tone was changing. Opposition was strengthening. Storm clouds were gathering. Even the Lord seemed troubled and was talking about death and last suppers. Life was not playing out like the disciples had expected.
Yet in the midst of this, they knew what to do: They followed Jesus. Even though they didn’t understand, they followed Jesus. Even though life was turning darker, they followed Jesus. They trusted him, and they followed.
Key Truth
God can always be trusted. Always. And so we follow him. Always. Unconditionally.
This truth is easy to say but hard to internalize. We need to both KNOW and FEEL the truth that our God is ever-faithful. It applies when life is a bed of roses, and especially when life hits the fan.
We may not always understand, but He does. We may not have the strength or the courage, but He does. And so we trust Him and we follow. It means we do life His way. We make decisions His way. We choose to follow, especially when we don’t feel like it.
And even when we stumble, as Peter did soon afterward, we know that we have a forgiving Savior who lovingly helps us to our feet. And so we joyously trust Jesus. And follow.
Always. Unconditionally.
Thanks Dave…thanks for your insight and your reminder of God’s consistent, never-ending, faithful, complete, exhaustive, and foundational character…regardless of our circumstances, our funk, or our thoughts and feelings of a situation…He is unchanging. Clearly, easier said than done…but that doesn’t change the Truth of it all. Words to live by. Thanks again, my friend. Britt, our girls, and I (and many, many others) miss having you and your lovely ladies around as closely as we once did…but we trust God’s hand in it all and are thankful y’all are never too far away.
When I know I’m following Jesus, it’s easy. But when life hits the fan and it seems to me Jesus is not moving at all or maybe I lost sight of Him, I really have to dig my heals in and just stand. I don’t understand; but, as you pointed out, I must trust Him as the disciples did and know that he is faithful .
I have missed seeing you guys! You are not old. Take it from someone who is!
Dave,
Thanks and good to hear the Dodd family has landed at Midtown. You are missed at CCC and your words ring true and echo the powerful simplicity in following Him.