A Decision to Follow – From the Edges – Morning Devotions

From the Edges – Morning Devotions

Pastor Calvin Cook

LENT – Day 21 – THE DECISION TO FOLLOW

Matthew 7:13-14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

I recently was drawn to the hymn – “I have Decided to Follow Jesus”. I remember commitment Sunday’s where this hymn was the sending hymn. On my playlist one morning “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” was being sung very slowly with a guitar background. It was like each word was a bell toll that spoke loudly to my soul. Many questions came to my heart and soul. The words are simple and tell a great story.

About 150 years ago there was a great revival that occurred over most of the continent of Europe. This revival stretched to the deepest parts of the remotest villages including one village in northern India that was controlled by a hateful tribal chief. This village was exactly the place a Welsh missionary felt called to preach the gospel. Because of the efforts of the missionary many in the village accepted Jesus as Savior and were converted to “followers of Christ”. This greatly angered the chief to the point of retribution.

A family who had received Christ was brought to the center of the village and told to renounce their faith. Instead, the newly converted Christian declared “I have decided to follow Jesus.” As he watched his children killed then his wife the words of the convert were spoken “Though no one joins me, still I will follow.” As the threat on his life was made, he continued to proclaim, “The cross before me, the world behind me.” As the village people witnessed his faithfulness and struggles, and death the village began to come to Christ including the Chief and his family.

Am I that brave in my faith journey. Even when we face the choice of which way to follow, which gate to walk through, we shrink into a sea of circumstances, conditions and excuses and fail to proclaim “Jesus is Lord”.

The scripture reminds us that “who we are, has not yet truly been revealed”. However, one day it will when we stand face to face with Christ and see his Glory and power and authority without fear or being drawn away to other things.

I’m praying today for the one who is struggling with the decision of which way to follow. Praying for the one who has decided following Jesus is not what they expected. I’m praying ….. praying ….. praying that I can stand firm – for “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back, though none may join me still I will follow, no turning back no turning back, The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back………………..