I Will Follow You

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding on their journey, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus answered him, "Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head." And to another he said, "Follow me."  But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father." But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.  But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God." And another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home." Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."

I’m reminded of a song.   Ricky Nelson’s 1963 hit “I will follow you.” 

I will follow you
Follow you wherever you may go
There isn't an ocean too deep
A mountain so high it can keep me away

I must follow you 
Ever since you touched my hand I know
That near you I always must be 
And nothing can keep you from me
You are my destiny

I love you I love you I love you and where you go 
I'll follow, I'll follow, I'll follow

You'll always be my true love, my true love, my true love
From now until forever, forever, forever

I will follow you
Follow you wherever you may go
There isn't an ocean too deep 
A mountain so high it can keep
Keep me away away from my love
I love you, I love you, I love you and where you go I’ll follow.

Of course, this song can be applied to our devotion to Jesus Christ and our willingness to follow him wherever he brings us.  However, I’ll admit deep oceans and high mountains are tough obstacles to overcome.  And while I follow Jesus – and it can be tough-sledding – my real love is reserved for the ones in my life, my family. 

Nothing keeps me away from their love.  I’ll not say farewell to my family at home.   I’ve set my hand to the plow, but I do look behind.  That’s the only way to ensure I’m plowing straight and not crooked lines.

Deacon David Pierce