Do You Follow Jesus This Close?

On the interstate the other day, I saw a big rig with mud flaps that said, “Do you follow Jesus this close?” While I got a chuckle out of it, I also thought it was a good question. Do I follow Jesus as closely as I should? I certainly try.

But do I fall short in any areas? Definitely. Every day I can find something I did “wrong.” Maybe I said something I regret. Or maybe just the opposite – I didn’t speak up when I should have. Maybe I made a hasty decision. Or maybe I didn’t make a move when I should have. I am constantly second guessing everything I do. In all honesty, it can be very exhausting living this way. Am I too hard on myself? Perhaps. But I think I would rather be this way, as opposed to someone who flippantly feels they do no wrong.

This makes me think of David in the Bible. He was called a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). David always tried to please the Lord, his faith was unshakably strong, and he openly praised God even when others criticized him for it. However, David was human and he did make mistakes. But he was quick to turn around when he knew he was wrong.

The bottom line comes down to our hearts. We need to allow the Lord to examine our hearts, and point out any areas that need adjusting. Handing over each day to God will ensure we are on the right path. Honoring God with our lives and actions will always lead to success. Ask yourself, do you follow Jesus this close?

I will leave you with some words written by David, found in Psalm 139…

1 O Lord, you have examined my heart

    and know everything about me.

2 You know when I sit down or stand up.

    You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.

3 You see me when I travel

    and when I rest at home.

    You know everything I do.

4 You know what I am going to say

    even before I say it, Lord.

5 You go before me and follow me.

    You place your hand of blessing on my head.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

    too great for me to understand!

7 I can never escape from your Spirit!

    I can never get away from your presence!

8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;

    if I go down to the grave, you are there.

9 If I ride the wings of the morning,

    if I dwell by the farthest oceans,

10 even there your hand will guide me,

    and your strength will support me.

11 I could ask the darkness to hide me

    and the light around me to become night—

12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.

To you the night shines as bright as day.

    Darkness and light are the same to you.

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body

    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,

    as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.

16 You saw me before I was born.

    Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

    before a single day had passed.

17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.

    They cannot be numbered!

18 I can’t even count them;

    they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up,

    you are still with me!

19 O God, if only you would destroy the wicked!

    Get out of my life, you murderers!

20 They blaspheme you;

    your enemies misuse your name.

21 O Lord, shouldn’t I hate those who hate you?

    Shouldn’t I despise those who oppose you?

22 Yes, I hate them with total hatred,

    for your enemies are my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

    test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 Point out anything in me that offends you,

    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.