Day 64: Steadfastly Following in His Steps

DAY 64

Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic

A series of daily reflections for people of faith

by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

WEEK TEN: SUNDAY 17 MAY 2020

Steadfastly Following in His Steps

“Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” - Prayer for the Fifth Sunday of Eastertide, The Book of Common Prayer.

Given our sinful nature, following Jesus can be problematic when things are going well. In the time of a pandemic, when we have yet to see the cataclysmic downward turn of everything we had mistakenly thought was stable, it is a challenge. Wherever we turn, institutions are proving to be porous and susceptible to erosion, from health care to government to the economy to industry. In some ways this makes it easier to follow Jesus because all other footprints are fading in trustworthiness – only His, even if invisible, are indelible.    

Jesus illustrated steadfastness in a way the agrarian society, in which He lived, could understand: “‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” Luke 9:62. Even this city boy born and raised in the asphalt of Los Angeles can understand that word picture: look ahead and plow a straight line; look back and plow a crooked line. Jesus is always in front of us, which is where, if we want to follow him, we must always be looking. “‘… tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you, … there you will see him, …’” Mark 16:7. Always in front, always up ahead, always leading, leaving ‘steps’ for us to discern and choose to follow.   

To follow Jesus is to become someone we would never have become without him: “‘Come, follow me, … and I will make you fishers of men.’” Matthew 4:19. During this pandemic, ‘steadfastly following in His footsteps’ begins and remains grounded in God’s Word: wherever He leads, his Word is our life-map: “Direct my footsteps according to your word.” This map is given to us, in the tried and true adage from Alcoholics Anonymous, ‘one day at a time.’

Reflective question: You are asked: What does it mean to follow Jesus? What would you say?

Reflective Scripture: Proverbs 16:9 - “The mind of man plans his ways, but the Lord directs his steps.”

Reflective hymn: “Footprints of Jesus” – Mary Slade (1826-1882)

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, “Come, follow Me!”

And we see where Thy footprints are falling, lead us to Thee.

Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;

We will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.