I caught myself talking badly about somebody and immediately felt sick about it.
The next day I had a jarring conversation with a friend who was justifying when it’s “okay to lie.” And although most of us have lied at one time or another, her statement “some lies are okay” felt icky.
Meanwhile life with four kids was busy and fun and jam-packed but also challenging to schedule and juggle. I was feeling so many emotions about a myriad of things with little time to process them. So, I set aside some extra time with Jesus. To talk to Him about All. Of. These. Things. And hopefully to listen.
I read my Bible and journaled in the morning, then went on a walk with a trusted friend. Together we chatted and prayed. I listened to worship music on the way home. Spent more time in the Bible and some on my knees. I felt super peaceful but didn’t sense any specific promptings from the Lord on prioritizing and balancing all the family stuff going on.
Later I was slicing sweet potatoes in long skinny strips to make fries to go with dinner, and I felt God give me the phrase, “Be careful who you follow.”
I hadn’t been praying about who I should follow. Of all the things on my list, this wasn’t one of them. But the words were very clear and very much from God. I drizzled the fries with olive oil and sprinkled them with sea salt, contemplating what God meant. Who I follow on social media? Who I follow politically? Whose advice I ask for? Which health experts I listen to? It could mean so many things. And those are all important to consider. Anyone can put their opinion on the internet for us to stumble onto. We don’t want to be gobbling up inaccurate or unethical advice.
The Spirit nudged me to think about this “following” thing more, though. And what popped in my head was an invitation in John 1:43
and Matthew 4:19
and Mark 1:17
and Luke 5:27:
“Follow Me.”
The invitation comes from Jesus. He’s who we should follow in every realm of our life. When we question how we should act—Jesus models it for us.
Are the people I follow on social media people Jesus would follow? Is that politician treating people like Jesus would? That person might have persuasive publishing or parenting advice, but does it jibe with something Jesus would say? Or not? It reminds me of the ’80s phenomenon WWJD bracelets reminding us to ask, what would Jesus do? Which have made a comeback because it’s a solid question.
What are you wrestling with today? How would following Jesus when it comes to your worries, struggles, fears, and concerns change things? I’m learning that when I look at how Jesus lived, I get answers to so many of my questions. Sure, sometimes there’s gray area. Not everything is black and white. But here’s how asking what Jesus would do and trying to follow suit helped me process those issues I was wrestling with. Maybe you wrestle with some of these things too.
On gossip: If I have an opinion about someone, am I sharing it how Jesus would? Would He even speak that thought? Would He even have that thought? Jesus saw people how He created them—interesting and talented and trying to do their best—and then He simply loved them. Sometimes that meant calling them out (like he did with the Pharisees) to keep them from hurting themselves or others, but usually it meant encouraging people. Like the woman who was being stoned (John 8:1–11) or Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10) up in the tree. Right? We should follow Jesus by treating others with kindness and love.
On lying: When did Jesus think it was okay? Did Jesus ever lie? To protect Himself? Or one of His disciples? I can’t find a single time in Scripture when Jesus lied. He remained silent sometimes. He changed the subject lots of times. Jesus redirected. But He always told the truth. That’s another way we can try to follow Him.
On juggling: Jesus worked and rested. Spent time with people He loved and went off by Himself to pray. These rhythms of go and stop were important to Jesus and should also be important to us. As we plan our weeks and try to juggle all the activities and commitments, we can follow Jesus and incorporate time to rest and be alone with the Lord.
I want to follow Jesus in all I do. When I interact with my husband or kids or friends or that random person who held the door open for me at the coffee shop or the one who cut me off in line for the self-checkout. When I follow Jesus, all the wobbly things feel steadier.
There are so many voices vying for our attention. But I want to turn up the volume on God’s voice and filter everyone else’s voices through His. Then act accordingly, to the best of my ability, how Jesus would if He were in my situation.
Who are you following?
Why?
What if we all decided to take Jesus up on His invitation of “Follow me” to see what this life of love He offers looks like. It’s truly more magnificent than we can imagine. And all we have to do is follow Him.
–Written by Laura L. Smith. Used by permission from the author. Click here to connect with Laura.
10 Responses
thank you
such true statments, we should all want to FOLLOW JESUS, thank you we all need to be reminded how our daily walk with JESUS is
Peggy, walking with Jesus is the sweetest thing I know! Blessings 🙂
Excellent! Thank you for this writing, reminder and encouragement
Bridget–there is no greater joy than following Jesus!
Blessings to you!
Dear Laura, when I was younger I knew Jesus, but pretty much went my own way. I did not wait upon the Lord. I didn’t realize the importance of the "Wait".
I am 61 now. Oh, to have had the knowledge and love then that I have now for my Savior and God!! I definitely makes a difference who you listen to and filter your thoughts through!!! Thank you for being open and writing about this very important subject—there is none more important than the One and the only One you listen to and follow!!!
Betsy, Yes! Filtering our thoughts with Jesus, through His lens, changes everything! Blessings 🙂
Just what I needed to read. Thank you so much.
Jesus is so good!
When we intentionally put in the forefront of our minds daily the question, "Who are we following?", this essential question gives us an opportunity to reflect on how Jesus interacted with people he encountered and how he treated them with compassion, love and forgiveness. Jesus’ model will help us as we navigate through life with people on the job, family, friends and strangers. Thank you for a reminder to follow Jesus in our words and actions.
Amen! Jesus gives us the perfect model to follow!