"Follow Me"

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

– Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

I have been thinking much, recently, about what it means to follow Christ. To really, really follow Him. I have a nagging sense that I don’t really understand it. I can work for Christ all day, but to deny myself? To take up the shame and horror of the executioner’s beam? And to follow Jesus wherever He goes.

Wherever? Lord, perhaps Abraham could leave Ur for “wherever” but am I made of such stern faith?

At my core I am a timid follower of the Lord. Yet I want to move forward. To improve in my followship. To not follow at a distance, but to walk closely with Him, to have my heart burn as He opens the word. Where a gesture and a wink from Him sends me to my next task. With joy, not grumbling.

Lord, I am not ready. But I want to be ready. I pray and believe You can work with this clay.