5th Day of Lent
To Follow Wherever Jesus Would Go
A scribe...said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Matthew 8:19

This is one of those interesting verses where a person appears before Jesus (in this case a scribe), indicates a willingness to follow Jesus, but the end result if left unclear.  Jesus warns him that the way will not be easy.  Jesus will be on the road, going from place to place, with no real home.  Will the scribe, who probably had a very well ordered life, be willing to give  up his security to follow Jesus?  We'll never know, as no answer is given.

Giving up the secure and familiar to follow the call of Jesus is never an easy thing.  But if we're willing to take that step of faith, the blessings can be abundant.  I served my former congregation in Minnesota for 20 years.  It was secure and familiar.  And yet, there was a kind of restlessness within and without that led me to believe God had something new planned for me and my ministry.  I wasn't sure what, but I knew this was the case.  We were led to Salt Lake and Our Saviour's Lutheran.  It was hard to leave our family, our home, and the familiar.  But the blessings have been enormous.  I have met so many wonderful people, learned about an entirely new part of the country, and grown in my faith in a way that simply would not have been possible had I stayed.  Everyone's faith journey is different.  Sometimes we're called to go, and sometimes to stay.  God will use us in whatever decision we make, so long as we remain faithful.  Did the scribe go or stay?  I don't know, but I hope he went.  For if he did, I know Jesus took him on a journey that likely  changed his life forever.  I know he did so for me.