“follow Me.”  (Jesus, at least 18 times in the gospels)

my heart is still racing.  and i mean racing.  i arrived at school early this morning, and even as i sit here writing, i marvel that i am still alive.

i shouldn’t be.

not 15 minutes ago, i sat screaming in my car as i realized i was running a red light in the middle of a MAJOR intersection during rush-hour traffic.  countless cars from three directions could have and should have run me over.

they didn’t.  i’m still here.

the minute… and i mean THE MINUTE i crossed under the light (and once i stopped screaming in shock and thanks to God) the Lord spoke to my heart and asked me this question:  “who are you following right now?  who are you allowing to lead you this morning?”  ahead of me was a large, white truck, a truck that in fact, saw the red light and chose to run it.

as for me, my mistake was this:  i was following too closely to that truck.  i never even saw the light.

as i drove the remaining five minutes to school, a thousand thoughts flooding my mind, i reflected on how often this happens in my journey with God.  and i asked myself some questions, some hard questions:

-who am i truly following?

-who am i allowing to lead me?

-am i following God’s voice?

-or the pastor’s?

-or my favorite ministry?  band?  music?

-a christian speaker i admire?  favorite blogger?

-a close friend?  someone i perceive as spiritual?

-today’s “word” from a present-day “prophet?”

-do i take my cues from a devotional?  from someone else’s journey?

–or am I relying on the Word alone? 

-God’s voice to me? 

-am i deaf to every other voice but His?

listen, i’m not saying we shouldn’t receive instruction and encouragement from those God has gifted as teachers, preachers, pastors, and counselors.  what i am saying is that i hear the voice of the Lord over my heart this morning, warning me, cautioning me not to follow too closely, not to allow anyone or anything BUT HIM to lead me.  to set my path.  to determine my course.

every word from any other human should be sifted.  taken before God and offered for His approval, His blessing.  no matter their track record, their following, their history, their “success.”

Jesus said very plainly, “follow ME.”

thank you, mighty God, for sparing my life this morning.  thank you for this Word to my heart.  i ask You to continue to speak Your word over my life, to give me eyes to see Your hand, ears to hear Your voice, ears that would be deaf to every other voice that would speak over me in place of You.  give me wisdom to know who and what aligns with Your heart, who and what stands in agreement with the whole counsel of God.  thank you again for the mercy and grace you extended me this morning.  i repent, i turn from following anyone or anything too closely.  it is idolatry and nothing less.  You are God, and there is no other.  You alone are King, Deliverer, Savior, and Lord.  i bless Your name this morning, O God.  and i love your son, Jesus.  I ask You, God,  to do whatever it takes in me so that i will follow You.

You.