Follow Me

Recently we had the privilege of caring for a newly-hatched baby duckling. The mother duck had abandoned the duckling at the school where my children attend. The agriculture teacher took care of it during that day, but needed to find a home for it. So somehow my daughter came home very excitedly carrying this lovely little duckling. My children affectionately named the duckling Peeper.

The children all had a lovely time with it. We found a large bowl and filled it with water and started putting Peeper in for a swim. The next day the children all went to school again and I was left alone with Peeper. Wanting to do the right thing I thought I’d take it out of the house for a swim in the bowl and make sure it had some water to drink and grass. After a short time, Peeper jumped out of the bowl. I stepped back to make sure it could pick at the grass. But everywhere my feet went Peeper went. So, I thought I’d test Peeper out. I started off for a walk around our large yard. Well away went Peeper, trotting along behind me. Everywhere I went, Peeper was about half a foot behind me. Then, when I would stop, Peeper would come and sit between my two feet. As soon as I moved to walk on, Peeper would walk right with me.

I realised I was having my own duckling parable. So many times in the Bible, it speaks of following. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a follower of Jesus. Today’s scripture shows us what it is Jesus is calling each one of us to – we must give up our own way, take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. Peeper was a perfect picture of what it means to follow. When the leader went, it went. When the leader paused, it sat at the leader’s feet, but it was ready to go as soon as the leader moved on.

Have a think today about who you are following. The world is full of followers on social media these days. You choose who you follow. But are you following Jesus? How close are you? Jesus is calling to you – “follow me”. Stay near. When He says to go, then go, but when He pauses, it’s ok to wait patiently for Him. As you submit your life to Him, He will lead and guide you into the amazing future He has planned for your life.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You that more than anyone or anything else in the whole world You are the one we should follow. You are worthy of that because You are the Son of God and the One who saved us from sin and death by dying on the cross, then being raised to life again. Would You help me to give up my own way, take up my cross daily and follow You. Help me to stay near, and live in joyful submission to You. I trust You to lead me into the amazing future You have for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.