Follow?

Who’s following me? How quickly we forget. I’m not talking about all the friends on the internet. It’s Goodness and Mercy that are following us, today, tomorrow, and in every last breath. When we choose to let the Lord be our Shepherd, Goodness and mercy follow us. As if living and nearby. But we forget. The Lord told us why. He likens us as sheep. We’re often too busy noticing that other people’s grass is green.  We’re minus the joy. Depleted of smiles. Our focus is not vertical, but searching for popular styles.  We forget to be thankful of God’s watchful eye. Not noticing the many gifts He brings. Our minds are elsewhere, we walk on by. We fret on along. We lose our song. We wonder. We ask, “Where is the road to happiness?” “Today.” Today.” The Lord cries to all. The most important day of our lives is the day we answer His call. We put it off, we wait for the day. “Who wants to be a Jesus Freak anyway?” But the Lord calls again, “Today.” “Today.” And we know deep in our heart, He’s the Way. “I hear. I believe. Jesus, come, make me new.” God hears. He comes. Forgiveness, Salvation, Comfort in all. Angels rejoice. The sky is the bluest of blue. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing,(1)  He patiently works in us, as we grow in our trust and believe, receive, and let go of the stuff. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,   Allowing, at times, disappointment to come, or sickness, or loss, . . .  but the good Shepherd promises, and  he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23 tells me so. He promises to lead, to guide, to provide, to protect. Yes, He promises. “My goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life. Remember Me,” He asks at His communion Table. “Remember my mercy poured out with My out-stretched arms. Remember my goodness to pay your debt for all of your wrongs. Eat this bread broken for you. “Dear child of God, Remember Me, I love you.” Is the Lord your Shepherd? Ask Him to be “Today.” Today— Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  Psalm 23 NIV