Path Blazing

“I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them and not forsake them.” (Isa 42:16)

My favorite quote of this morning’s reading is from John Maxwell: “Anyone can follow a path, but only a leader can blaze one.” There are many people depending on you today. You may feel like telling them to find their own paths but they have no path except yours. Some may even try to jump out ahead, thinking they know the path you are to take, only to find that their vision gets blurred and they veer. Some may take a different fork in the road than you, and had you not lead them to that place, they would have never had the boldness to get to that fork. I love to hug and pray for people at that intersection and watch them as they go to heights and vantage points that I could not have taken them. Who’s footsteps are you following in today? Upon who’s shoulders are you standing and who is standing on yours?

“My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27

The words of this folk song from the hill tribes of India are awesome:

I have decided, to follow Jesus,I have decided, to follow Jesus,I have decided, to follow Jesus,No turning back, no turning back.

Though I may wonder, I still will follow,Though I may wonder, I still will follow,Though I may wonder, I still will follow,No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, still I will follow,Though none go with me, still I will follow,Though none go with me, still I will follow,No turning back, no turning back!

The world behind me, the cross before me,The world behind me, the cross before me,The world behind me, the cross before me,No turning back, no turning back!

Will you decide now, to follow Jesus,Will you decide now, to follow Jesus,,Will you decide now, to follow Jesus,,No turning back, no turning back!