Yesterday, I got to pick up my 12-year old daughter from school. I get to do this a lot, but yesterday was different because I got to pick her up along with 3 other friends. So there I was, stuck in (I mean sitting in) the car with FOUR middle-school girls. I know they felt like they had me outnumbered and that they were in control, but really I was in control because I was the one driving.
There is something to be said for being content wherever it is you are or wherever it is you are going. When you look at it that way, you feel like you have a choice in where you are going. Sometimes I hear people talk about their "ride-or-die" partners - those friends or family that will go anywhere and do anything you need them to do. I don't know that those girls felt that way or not, but I laughed a little when I looked around at where I have gotten to in life and which passengers are going along with me.
Jesus had some "ride-or-die partners", too. They weren't middle-school girls, but they did decide to follow Him wherever He led them. In John 11, we learn of Lazarus being sick - he eventually passed away before Jesus arrived. Lazarus was Jesus' friend, and He even wept over him when He thought about how final death could be. When He led his group of followers to go see Lazarus, He told them "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up". Like so many other times, these 12 men who had been so close to Him showed that they still could misunderstand what He was saying to them. They thought if he was sleeping, he could get better but Jesus had other plans and He had to explain this plan to them:
"So then He told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him. Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" (John 11:14-16)
Have you ever met someone that wanted to go with you but needed the details first? Before saying yes and signing on the dotted line, they needed to know what time you were leaving, how long you'd be gone, what would be the purpose for going, how they would benefit from joining you, and what the itinerary was. If they were going to get in the car and go on a trip, they needed that information first. I'm glad those girls didn't need that information from me yesterday. They didn't have to have all the details - they knew they were riding home in my car and that was all they needed to know, so they got in.
I think that's the response Jesus is looking for from all of us. When I read John 11, I love that Thomas responded like that. Even if he didn't understand all of the details, he knew Jesus was going there and that meant they should, too. There have been times in my life where I have been willing to go wherever God sends me and there have been other times where I refused. But every time I am faced with that decision, I need to be like Thomas and just trust Him that He knows what is best for me.
This week, I challenge you to spend some time in prayer and take a look at your own life and your own journey with Jesus. When you do, see how you respond when He calls you to do something you are unsure of. If you trust Him, you should have no problem getting in and riding wherever He takes you. Getting to that place in your faith shows that you are willing to rely on and obey Him and go with Him. He is still looking for people that will follow Him that closely. Are you one of them?