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“What does it mean to follow Jesus, mommy?

People say that, but what does it really mean?”

My six-year-old son asked me this question right before bed recently. It seems our most heartfelt conversations happen at bedtime.

“Following Jesus means following in his footsteps. Listening to Him and obeying Him,” I responded. (Not sure a first grader got that!)

I kept going … “Do you ever come to a crossroad, where you really want to do or say something but aren’t sure what is right? That’s when you should ask yourself, ‘what would Jesus do?’ The only perfect person is Jesus, but when we ask ourselves this question and do what we know Jesus would do, that sanctifies us, making us more like Him … which means we are following Jesus.”

Following Jesus ultimately means saying no to sin and self and yes to Christ.

We talked more and I shared some examples. He seemed to get it to the best of his knowledge, but it made me wonder how many of us, even as adults, are unsure of what it means to follow Jesus. It can be especially tough when we’ve been through horrific circumstances like losing a spouse. Dreams and worlds are shattered, and in the midst of utter turmoil it is difficult to see where God is leading us. But following Him, even in the chaos, is what He calls us to do.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.’”
Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

The cross Jesus is referring to is not something that is forced upon us, it’s something we willingly take up. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us and He wants us to do the same. Taking up our cross means surrendering to His will for our lives, even when we don’t understand.

It’s putting to rest our own plans and desires and turning our lives over to Jesus. He doesn’t simply call us to believe in Him, He calls us to commit our lives to him and His will, trusting him in every area of our lives.

Sisters, I know trusting God in the unimaginable can be so, so tough. It seems we cannot see how anything that has happened will ever be turned to good. But the Lord is always working for His glory and our good. He promises there is something far better than what we can see.

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
Romans 8:18 (ESV)

Lord, Help us trust you wholeheartedly–in the trials, in the triumph, in the waiting. We know you offer us exceedingly more than we could ever imagine when we lean on You and not on our own understanding. Thank you for your steadfast love and goodness. Amen.