Why Would God Follow Me?

The other night I was reflecting on the 23rd Psalm.  It's a classic -- I'm sure most of you can quote it, even if you didn't necessarily spend much time in church.  But this time, something caught my eye...

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We are continually taught, convicted, and shown how much better and hopeful and blessed life can be when we take up our cross and follow Jesus; when we die to ourselves (or crucify our selfish needs/ambitions/etc.) and whole-heatedly pursue Christ in our words, actions, thoughts -- the whole of our personhood.

The Bible is full of accounts of people following God.

 

• The children of Israel followed God as a column of clouds by day and fire by night as they wandered in the desert. And, God delivered them. (Exodus 13)

 

• Joshua and the Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant through the wilderness toward the promised land -- Canaan. And, God dried up the Jordan River so they could pass without hinderance or struggle. (Joshua 3)

 

• Fishermen who sat with empty nets followed Jesus's direction to cast their nets on the other side of their boat.  And, God delivered a bounty. (John 21)

 

• A woman plagued by years of female hemorrhaging came from behind Jesus and touched is garment.  And, God healed her in a moment. (Luke 8) 

 

Psalm 23 describes the Lord as a shepherd who leads, guides, and prepares us; an image of being led by God. But in the same breath, "surely [His] goodness and love will follow [us]." (v. 7)

 

So, in what world would God ever follow us?!

 

I think the idea of God following us is uncomfortable and seems almost heretical on its face. But, where was the Psalmist going with this when he wrote it? And then it struck me.

 

My sweet friend, Leah, posted her littlest son's first wobbly steps to her Instagram story. As he stood there trying to maintain his balance and gingerly make movements forward, what was Leah doing? She sat there with her arms and hands behind him; poised and ready to help/catch/scoop him up at his first sign of trouble, uncertainty, back-pedaling, and/or fall.

 

Sometimes God asks us to trust in the hard work and faith we have put into our relationship with Him, so that we can keep moving forward and walking the path He laid out before us, while He gently shifts to being our support, cheerleader, and guardian.

 

I started thinking: Okay, I get it "baby birds learning to fly the nest" and all. Does the Bible really have any examples of God "following" us in this way?

 

As a matter of fact, there is!

 

• At Jericho, the Israelites paraded around the city walls and the Ark of the Covenant was in the rear of the crowd. And, yet, God delivered the city into their hands. (Joshua 6)

 

• When Lazarus was sick -- and eventually died -- Mary and Martha were convinced Jesus was behind schedule and late. And, yet, God raised his friend from the dead. (John 11)

 

• The disciples started panicking about Jesus going to heaven after His resurrection, because who would lead them to change the world. And, yet, God promised and delivered the gift the of the Holy Spirit as a "helper". (John 16)

 

• Stephen was stoned; suffering a brutal martyr's death for the spreading of the early Church. And, yet, God was still there to "receive [his] spirit." (Acts 7)

 

Back to Psalm 23..."The Lord is my shepherd."

 

Let us not forget: shepherds HERD their flock. Maybe it's because I grew up in a small cow-town, but I have never seen a cowboy, rancher, or shepherd herd their livestock from the front. You have to circle back, make sweeping movements from side-to-side from the rear of the pack to keep them "on track" and heading in the direction you want for them to go.

 

There are SO many times when I feel like God isn't showing me the path, that He isn't answering my prayers, or that He is in some way withholding Himself from me. I am discovering that this is because I am focused on Jesus needing to be in front of me and showing me which footprints in the snow to walk in so that I don't stray from the path 24/7, when -- in reality -- Christ is just as active in our lives when He is beside us or even behind us.  He watches our every movement and is there to protect us from ourselves -- period.

 

In business circles I've heard the quip of "learn to lead from behind" and I believe this is the imagery  the Psalmist is trying to communicate.

 

Being a successful shepherd includes a fair amount of following. And if we know and trust the Good Shepherd, we must also be keen to look for Him following us...arms outstretched and ready to deliver us when we falter, when we tire, and when we simply need His help.

 

I hope you are able to reflect on this in your own life and story.  Have you ever noticed a time or season where God was following you and you weren't really aware until He caught you?