Wherever He Leads, I'll Go

People, Jesus NEVER stops calling us regardless of our age. He NEVER stops calling us regardless if we are a new believer or a believer of 50 years. There is always more we can learn about God, always a need for a deeper commitment, always something you can do DAILY to serve God, your church, or to serve others. God may not call you as a missionary, but He may call you to minister to the homebound widow in your neighborhood, You may not be able to teach Sunday School, but can you watch the church nursery one Sunday every 3 months? You may not be able to play the organ like Wilma or run the sound system, but can you scrub bathroom floors in the church or clean out storage rooms? Dear Dottie, stricken with Cerebral Palsy, one day expressed her desire to serve. She stated she didn’t know what she could do, with her physical handicaps. I told her, “Dottie, you can be a great servant by praying for your pastor daily. Would you do that?” She eagerly accepted the task. There is always service to do in our neighborhood, always a way to serve in our church. You may say “I’ve never done it before. I’ll just let someone more experienced do it.” Folks, Jesus never calls us to a task He will not empower us to do. How often as a pastor I hear these words: “I’ve served my time. I’ll let someone else do it now.” Do you know what I say to that? DAILY! Doesn’t daily mean every day--each day of our life?”

One of the four fishermen Jesus called that day, John, lived a long life. He taught and served many years. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of his age, he still served Christ. While in prison, John still served. While exiled, John still served. At the end of his life, you still find John serving God, serving the church, and serving others.

Jesus calls each of us DAILY to follow Him. He is always leading us to new territory, new tasks, new responsibilities and new service. He daily calls us to deeper understanding. He always calls us to a life of sacrifice, day by day. “If anyone follows me, let him take up His cross (What?) daily!” Notice there is no time period given here. Does it sound like your task is done? Does it sound like your service to God, to the church and to others is finished? Does it sound like your spiritual growing is complete? NO! Jesus is calling you daily to follow more, to learn more daily, to serve more daily and to give every day more sacrificially. Jesus’ calling to us never ends. Sadly though, our response to Him often does end. We stop listening to His call.

Rev. R.S. Jones was a missionary to Brazil. He had many years of Christian service. In 1936, he was retiring due to ill health. At the Southern Baptist Convention that year, this missionary was talking to the songwriter BB McKinney. Jones told McKinney that his doctor would not let him return to Brazil to continue his missionary work. McKinney asked about his future plans. Jones replied: “I don’t’ know, but wherever He leads I’ll go.” These words stuck in McKinney’s mind. Before that evening was over, McKinney had written the words of our invitation hymn:”Wherever He leads I’ll go, Wherever He leads, I’ll go. I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He Leads I’ll go” (Crusader Hymns and Hymn Stories by the Billy Graham Team,, Hope Publishing Co, 1966)