Friendship With JesusNäide

Jesus Calls Me to Follow Him

The best life you can live is the one following Jesus. As the good shepherd, Jesus offers his sacrificial love (John 10:11). As the light of the world, he will lead you in a life of peace because darkness leaves us anxious and afraid (John 8:12). Jesus is the only one who offers perfect security; he will never let us go … now and forever (John 10:27-28). Jesus offers us a life of adventure; as you walk each day in faith, you will see him do amazing things (Luke 9:1–3).

While Jesus is always calling, it is a choice to follow. His call is simple: “Follow me” (Matthew 9:9). Following Jesus is one big decision followed by thousands of small ones. When we follow him, we are his true friends. Scripture calls these people disciples. Every day, Jesus' 12 disciples had to choose to keep following, whether sleeping on rocky ground, plodding across sun-baked roads or facing hostile leaders or imposing crowds.

The choice to follow is the critical moment. All day we face choices. Even if we don't have an overt sense of his voice, his inner voice always tells us right from wrong, good from bad. When we choose to follow, we stay in relationship with God. When we turn aside, we move toward the shadows. If we stay behind in the fold, we won’t stay within the sound of his voice.

Shortly after coming to faith in Jesus, I realized the dating relationship I was in was not honoring God. For several months, I tried to help her understand the joy I was experiencing. When it was clear she wasn’t interested in growing with me, I ended the relationship. This gave me the freedom to focus on my relationship with Jesus. Five years later, I met the woman who became my best friend and partner in following him. Shirin and I have been married for 36 years.

There is a cost.The way of Jesus requires commitment. We are to lay down our nets (Matthew 4:19-20) and take up our cross (Mark 8:34). A net is anything that takes a more important role in our life than Jesus. It is not about what we spend the most time on; it’s about our orientation. He asks us to focus on his purposes more than our plans. Taking up my cross means I’m willing to give Jesus leadership in every area of my life and follow him.

The values of the kingdom of heaven are in opposition to those of the kingdom of this world. The first shall be last, it's better to give than receive, there is blessing in suffering, love your enemies, humility is better than power … and finally, death leads to life (John 12:24-25). This is how you discover your best possible life. As Jim Elliot, a 20th-century martyr, said,

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Because of our humanity, it is inevitable that we will stumble. The wonder of grace is that we are never more than a confession away from getting back in step with Jesus (1 John 1:9).

So, not only is Jesus speaking to us, he is in front of us leading, and he is in us by his Spirit. He invites us to converse with him and trust him with everything in our lives. He calls us to follow him as soon as he speaks.

Pattern

When you hear his voice or sense his prompting, act. If it is something you can do immediately, do it. Hug your spouse, send a text or pray for someone. If it's something you can’t do immediately, create a plan. Make a note to call that person. Create a block in your calendar to meet with someone. If you don’t respond, give yourself grace because God does. I’ve noticed when I miss a prompt, God will often give me a second chance. You don’t want to miss the second chance.

Overcoming the objection

How do I know if what I’m sensing is from God? Ask yourself, “Is this in line with Scripture? Is it consistent with God’s heart of love? Does this honor Jesus? Will it contribute to the coming of the kingdom of God?” If you answer “no” to any of these questions, don’t act on it. If the answer to each of these is “yes,” follow his leading. The longer you linger, the less likely you are to respond. It's easy to rationalize your way out of obedience.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you for inviting me to live my best possible life this day. Help me to respond quickly when I sense you say, “Follow me.” I give you leadership in every area of my life.