Follow In Faith
There have been times that I’ve not known the right path. I grew up in a small town in Kentucky and we worshipped at a small country church called Roley Christian Church. The Preacher was a pillar in the community. I learned at an early age that I had to be careful about blindly following a preacher. I remember one time there was division in our small church – some didn’t like the Preacher and wanted him gone, while others thought he was a good man and was doing a good job. I can’t remember the details, but he ended up leaving. There were lots of hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
After Solomon died and his son Rehoboam took over the kingdom, Jereboam rebelled and became King over the Northern Kingdom – all the tribes except Judah & Benjamin. So Solomon’s son was King of Judah (aka the Southern Kingdom). After things shook out a bit, the ways of Jereboam started showing through. People of faith realized they needed a change in location. Check this out…
13 The priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel sided with him. 14 The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the Lord 15 when he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he had made. 16 Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 17 They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, following the ways of David and Solomon during this time. (2 Chronicles 11:13-17 NIV)
I respect these people who left everything to pursue the heart of God. I believe they realized that persecution was on the horizon as well. I loved that one line: “…who set their hearts on seeking the Lord…” My faith in God may call me to follow Him to some different and difficult places. My faith in God is the guiding force that moves me and keeps me close to His heart.
As an adult, I’ve been part of a few churches and almost every one had some disagreements about all sorts of things. I think that leaders of churches often forget Who church belongs to. I decided a long time ago that I would follow Jesus. I will follow where He leads. I don’t have any intentions of following a Preacher/Pastor blindly. I also wont’ follow church leaders blindly. I will follow Jesus and Him alone. I will continue to pursue His heart through His Word. No matter what circumstances I find myself in, I want to be a follower of The Lord. One day my faith will become sight!
Pressing On!
Dwayne