Devotionals

Keeping God's Pace

by Jennifer Woodley 
08/03/17
Free to Share
Author requests article critique

  Message Writer
  Hire Writer

Tweet

Peter began to say to him, “look we have left everything and followed you.” Mark 10:28 (NRSV)

The disciples left behind their former life and kept in step with the new life that Christ had for them. They decided to follow their Saviour’s leading rather than running ahead to do their own thing. It is a known fact that we can’t be following Jesus if we keep racing ahead of him.

The grandfather clock that ticks so comfortingly in my dining room periodically keeps out of time. It is too fast. Just when it is reset to a slower pace, it takes off again. The clock appears to have a mind of its own that says, “I won’t be held back!” Perhaps we are just the same. Jesus asks us to follow him; to keep in step with his pace; to learn and then stay in time with the unforced rhythm of his grace.

We, his sheep, must follow Jesus, the shepherd, allowing him to guide us. God’s people will learn nothing if they are charging on ahead, seeking to be the leader. That is a position reserved for God alone.

Are we trying to run our own lives? It is time to settle for second place? Time to hold back and learn the discipline of following, of waiting, of submitting. Time to take upon ourselves God’s grace which will establish all that concerns us as we allow things to happen, rather than racing onwards to make things happen.

Let’s learn to slow down and trust God to lead our lives as we take the restful position of following behind.