ODJ: follow
Jesus . . . found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow Me” (v.43).
READ: John 1:43-51
In July 2001, a few friends and I embarked on a long-anticipated rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike. But our great adventure ended after only one day. We made it to the canyon floor, but due to the stifling heat (127°F) and dehydration we couldn’t finish. After sleeping a few hours, we began our trek back up the narrow ledge trail at 2:00 a.m. The experience of hiking in pitch-black darkness was harrowing. With just one headlamp, we could see only a few feet in front of us. We made it out by following the one who was leading, taking small steps as our meager light allowed.
Our experience reminds me of how Jesus repeatedly invited people to join Him in His life and work. When Jesus encountered Philip in Galilee, He simply said, “Follow Me” (v.43). And to Simon Peter and Andrew: “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). And to the rich young man: “Follow Me” (Matthew 19:21). To the tax collector, to the beggars along the road, to rulers, to servants, to the rich and the poor, one word stands out: “Follow.”
It’s the same for us. While obedience to—and friendship with—God takes many forms, the central theme is this: Follow. Simply follow. Our prime responsibility in our spiritual journey is not to craft grand plans or muster up sincere commitment or to work hard to discern all God might be up to. Our crucial responsibility is to pay attention to whatever light (large or small) God provides—and to simply take the next step.
When we follow, we’re dependent on the one we are following. We don’t fret about the long stretch ahead. We don’t harbor regrets over what took place during the miles behind us. We don’t focus on things that don’t really matter. We simply follow. Follow Jesus today. —Winn Collier
What does it mean for you to simply follow Jesus? Where is one place He’s asking you to follow Him today?
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Loading ...ODB: seeds and faith
November 4, 2009
READ: Galatians 6:7-10
Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. —Galatians 6:7
I read a fable about a man who was browsing in a store when he made the shocking discovery that God was behind a sales counter. So the man walked over and asked, “What are You selling?” God replied, “What does your heart desire?” The man said, “I want happiness, peace of mind, and freedom from fear . . . for me and the whole world.” God smiled and said, “I don’t sell fruit here. Only seeds.”
In Galatians 6, Paul stressed the importance of sowing seeds of God-honoring behavior, for “whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (v.7). We can’t expect to experience the fruit of God’s blessings if we don’t recognize the importance of doing our part.
It helps to follow the example of others who have sown good seed. Author Samuel Shoemaker said that a good example can either inspire us or cause us to say, “Oh yes, he (or she) is like that. He is not troubled by temper or nerves or impatience or worry as I am; he is just a happier temperament.” Shoemaker continued, “It may not occur to us that perhaps he had to fight for his serenity, and that we might win if we would do the same.”
Are you weary of the way you are? Ask God for His help and begin sowing seeds of new actions and responses today. In due season the Spirit will give the increase. — Joanie Yoder
The seeds we sow today determine the kind of fruit we’ll reap tomorrow.
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By Poh Fang Chia
Snipped. Snipped. Off went the long tresses. It took me so long to get it to this length; did I make the right choice in cutting it short?
As I flipped the magazine covers and pored at the beautiful hairdos, I wondered: Oh, it would be lovely to have that crown of glory.
But when I walked on the streets and observed the sea of heads, I puzzled: Seems like acquiring that perfect hair is a high maintenance job!
The media sells us an image that few could—or would—ever attain. And even if one should attain it, it is at what cost?
Marcia Aldrich wrote a humorous essay* on hairstyle. Here are some excerpts:
“In my sister’s case, the quest for perfect hair originates in a need to mask her appearance; in my mother’s case, she wants to achieve a beauty of person unavailable in her own life story. Some women seek transformation, not out of dissatisfaction with themselves, but because hair change is a means of moving along in their lives. These women create portraits of themselves that won’t last forever, a new hairstyle will write over the last.”
“[Her sister said]: ‘Don’t women have better things to think about than their hair?’ I bite back: ‘But don’t you think hair should reflect who you are?’ ‘To be honest, I’ve never thought about it. I don’t think so. Cut your hair the same way, and lose your self in something else. You’re distracted from the real action.’ ”
“[Her hairstylist said] I see hair as an extension of the head and therefore I try to do my hair with a lot of thought. . . . Nothing is permanent, nothing is forever. Don’t feel hampered or hemmed in by the shape of your face or the shape of your past. Hair is vital, sustains mistakes, can be born again. You don’t have to marry it.”
As I mused on this frivolous triviality, 1 Peter 3:2-4 came to mind. It states, “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
Next year, I’m going to try to grow my hair passed my shoulders. 
* “Hair” originally appeared in The Northwest Review (1992) and was selected by Joseph Epstein for The Best American Essays 1993.
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