“Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Did you know that these are the first words Jesus spoke after He was baptized in the Jordan River (photo above) by John the Baptist? According to Scriptures (John 1:38), there were two disciples of John who heard him say “Behold, the Lamb of God!”  Upon hearing this, they began to follow after Jesus. Then Jesus turns around and says to the two men, “What do you seek?”

I read this verse today and had to stop and write. What do I seek in following Jesus?  After meditating much about this, I realized I don’t know the exact time or day that I began to follow Him. I’ve always felt like I belonged with Him.  All through my childhood I’ve always loved hearing about Him, I loved being in the Church.  I grew up as a Catholic and went to Catholic school, so we always had to go to church.  It was such a peaceful atmosphere for me.  

It wasn’t until I went to high school that I started to wander into a lifestyle where Jesus didn’t fit in. I began to explore foolishly making one mistake after another for several years. All throughout the times that I lived contrary to His desires, Jesus stood faithfully by me. I know He never left me. He was always waiting for me to decide when to turn around, grab His hand and begin walking with Him again; in a total different direction. This Scripture made me realize how very constant His love is. It doesn’t waver like ours does. He never gives up on us.

I thought about how “they followed Him.” This is where I find myself today. I only want to follow Jesus. Not because I read about how kind He is or because He can make things happen for me. You know, “get my blessings.” No! I want to follow Him because He loved me first!

“For God so loved the world [you and me] that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus] that whosoever believes in Him should not perish (experience eternal death] but have eternal life [with Him].”

John 3:16

“We love because He FIRST loved us.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1:38‬ ‭ESV‬‬

And also because He takes care of me. He tells me the TRUTH about everything in my life. He’s always teaching me, guiding me, confirming my steps, strengthening me when I’m weary, and replacing my heaviness with joy. In other words, he wants only the best for me! For all of us! But, there’s that one condition. We must take His hand and go where He is going. Not take Him to where we want to go. The wonderful news is that when we do follow Him, we find the most beautiful surprises along the way; surprises that we never expected!

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

Jeremiah‬ ‭33:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭ESV

It’s all TRUE!

I trust Him to bring me all the way home where I belong, with Him!