Friday: I WANTED TO DO IT MY WAY

Jun 24, 2022
2 min read

Lord, some things get stuck in my mind, and I just want to do things the way that I want to do them. I know You have called me to do things a different way, though.

Luke 9:57-62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

I can make all kinds of promises to God, but they usually come with stipulations. “Lord, I’ll follow You if You do this for me”; “Lord, I’ll follow You as long as it doesn’t become too uncomfortable.”

The Lord knows my heart and knows my excuses. If I tell Him I will follow Him, I want to be prepared for the journey.

One man stated that he would follow Jesus if he could first bury his father. In the context of this passage, his father had not yet died; indeed, he may not have even been sick. This is similar to an excuse I could make: “Lord, I’ll follow You after my earthly obligations are done.”

The second man stated that he would follow Jesus if he could first go back and say goodbye to his family. The process of saying goodbye to his parents in this culture most likely featured a week-long party. The excuse I could make is “Lord, let me say goodbye on my terms.”

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: In both cases, Jesus showed these men that their hearts were not ready to make a commitment on Jesus’ terms.

By following Him, Jesus is asking to be first in my life. He asks me to give Him all my excuses, so He can direct me without having to avoid the obstacles I throw in the way or the plan I insist is necessary.

Each excuse provides another opportunity for His provision. If I hear Him calling, then He already knows who is going to take care of my father or who will watch over the relatives I leave behind.

Lord, I’m ready to commit to Your will and follow wherever You lead me.

May you be blessed, Chaplain Wayne Ruckman