Follow in His Footsteps

Read Matthew 4:18-22 - Jesus calls his first disciples

And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Matthew 4:19 (NRSV)

Connie Paulson lives in Delaware. She lives near the ocean, and she loves to walk on the beach. Experiencing the changing seasons and feeling the sand go from frozen and snowy to scorching hot causes Connie to reflect on the seasons of life.

When her granddaughter Kacey visits on summer week-ends, they often go to the beach. They load their items into a beach cart and eagerly begin their journey. Pulling the cart downhill to the water is no problem for Kacey. But on the way back, the cart feels heavier, and the sun and sand seem hotter. She struggles to walk in the shifting sand and pull the cart uphill. Connie advises her to step in the existing footprints in the sand because someone has previously packed that sand and created a foundation for her to follow.

Just as Jesus called his disciples as he walked along the beach, he also calls us to follow in his footsteps. Jesus guides us through challenges and situations because he has already been there. He knows what we're experiencing and wants to lighten our burden. Even when we don't know exactly where we're going or how we'll get there, we can trust that Jesus knows and will love us every step of the way.

Prayer: Loving Savior, thank you for leading us through life's challenges and for loving and empowering us each step of the way. We pray in Your precious name. Amen.