Follow HIM!

by Tiffany S.
from Virtuous Daughters, December 2009~Volume 10, Number 9

Dear Sisters,

A couple months ago, I was pondering how important it is to follow God’s will for our lives, no matter how “different” that makes us than the world or even our Christian friends.

As I thought on this, the Lord brought to mind John 21. How grateful I am for the power of God’s Word—it convicts, sanctifies, and cleanses our hearts and minds! In this passage of Scripture, Jesus asked Peter several times if he truly loved Him. The disciple answered, “Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee.” Jesus’ response had been in the form of a specific assignment, “Feed My sheep.”


Then, Christ gave Peter a glimpse into the future to which he was called. Though not desirable to his human flesh, it was for the glorification of God. Jesus instructed Peter, “Follow Me.” After hearing this, Peter noticed a different disciple, John, nearby, which brought a question to his mind. “Lord, and what shall this man do?”


Isn’t that like many of us sometimes? God calls us to a particular ministry, task, or assignment, and we look around at His other children, asking in our minds, What about him? Why doesn’t God have her doing this too? What’s He going to do with them? I don’t know for sure, but I would not be surprised if that’s how Peter felt. Perhaps he felt alone in the calling God had just placed on his life to disciple other believers and die a death for God’s glory. Perhaps he was curious what God would have John do. 


“Jesus saith unto Him, If I will that he tarry till I come, What is that to thee? Follow thou Me.” That was the Lord’s response, and its meaning is full of truth, encouragement, and purpose. How many times do we need to hear these words? They still ring true today! We need to concern ourselves with one thing—Jesus Christ and His calling for us! Just because Lisa is called here and Tabitha is called there and Rosa is doing this and Megan is doing that, should that make a difference in the calling God has placed on our lives? No! We follow Him because He called us. Whether John died a martyr’s death or natural death—or even if he were to remain alive until Jesus’ return—should not have made a difference to Peter. Whether John was called to feed sheep or fight wolves should not have made a difference to Peter. Jesus was calling him, and he needed to follow, regardless of Christ’s calling on John’s life.


There is so much to be learned from the disciples and all of God’s people in His Word. Many of their struggles are areas we (or at least I!) can easily identify with, if we open our eyes and ask God to teach us. 


I praised the Lord for reminding me of such a beautiful passage. I rejoiced in His calling on my life—it’s such a joy and privilege to live for and follow my Savior. He has given me blessings too numerous to count, and I could never ask for anything better. When I simply stop to think about His goodness and faithfulness in my life, my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude.


Dear sister, if you ever feel alone in the calling God has placed on your life, just remember that it doesn’t matter what other people are or are not doing. He does not call every single one of us to the exact same task. “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.”—1 Corinthians 12:14–18 


If we truly love Him, we will follow Him, and He will bless us more than we can possibly imagine! “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory”—1 Peter 1:7–8


“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.”—Ephesians 6:24 Keep loving and following our Savior! “Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted.”—Psalm 89:15–16


I am so grateful that the Lord has blessed us with the loving support of other Christians in this nation and even through Virtuous Daughters! My heartfelt thanks to each of you for the godly example and encouragement you are in my life. It means so much!
 
Love in Christ,
Tiffany
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