Following, Leaning on Jesus
"King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.’" Acts 2:25-28
Matthew 10:38, tells us, "If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine."
As I've been baking Christmas cookies this year, there has been a new companion. It is my daughter's puppy, affectionately known as Jelly Bean. No matter where I go in the kitchen, she is right beside me, touching me--even leaning against me when I stop to stir the cookie batter. When I move to the next room, she is there. When I go upstairs, she follows. If I sit down, she lays down at my feet. It is very endearing.
I wonder. Do we follow Jesus this closely?
Just like Jelly Bean feels secure when she leans in, we feel secure when we lean into Jesus, when we depend upon Him, when we follow Him. Not only do we feel secure when we follow close beside Jesus, we are secure.
Psalm 63:8 says, "I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely."
And, 1 John 5:18 tells us, "We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them."
This Christmas, I pray that we would follow Jesus closer than we ever have before--not leaving His side, leaning into Him with our every breath, every heartbeat.
And, may this be the best Christmas you've ever had in your life.
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