As I began to cross over the interborough bridge yesterday, I noticed a black car in my rear view mirror, making an odd maneuver in the middle of the road.

“They must be lost,” I quietly said to myself.

But as quickly as that thought left me, the car was right beside me.

An older gentleman rolled down his window, asking for directions to 80 East.

Gratefully, I knew how to get him to his destination.

I smiled back and said, “Follow me. I will show you the way.”

Without hesitation, the man and his family pulled behind my Honda.

The vehicle stayed close until we reached the on ramp for the interstate.

He gave a beep and a wave in a thankful gesture as he drove away.

This man put his faith in a complete stranger for direction.

The disciples put their faith in a stranger as well.

Jesus suddenly came beside them, saying “Follow me.”

And they did so without hesitation, remaining close behind Him.

“ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living.  Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed Him.

A little farther up the shore He saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And He called them to come too. They immediately followed Him, leaving the boat and their father behind. “ Matthew 4: 18-22

But it was not just the disciples that followed Jesus.

Others were looking for direction in their lives as well.

Some were sick, some were broken.

But when learning about the Savior, the crowds began to follow Him as well.

“Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every kind of disease and illness. News about Him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to Him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—He healed them all. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. “Matthew 4: 23-25

We all get lost sometimes.

We all need someone to show us the way.

Friends, Jesus knows the directions to our final destination.

Stay close to Him …He will show you the way.

It was a warm summer day.

I love this time of year, when I can sit on the deck and drink in God’s beauty.

The smell of the flowers.

The sound of the birds with their morning chatter.

The explosion of greenery in front of me.

All of my senses lead me to one question.

Are we already there, in heaven, and simply do not take the time to notice?

I sit with my thoughts and my coffee, when suddenly the groundhog who has set up residence under the deck pops his head up.

He is as startled as I am.

He quickly retreats, and my heart rate returns to its normal rhythm.

Then the cutest chipmunk scampers by the steps. 

He sees me, but continues to go about his morning business.

This tiny creature does not appear concerned about me, as I am at a distance.

I settle back into my devotion, when suddenly a large bee comes flying directly into my chest.

I am not as startled by him as the groundhog, as I see him coming.

I gently flick him off my chest .

And then it happens.

He circles back and comes at me again!

Grounded and prepared, I push him away in the opposite direction.

This time maybe not so gently.

He must have gotten the message because he kept going.

Our lessons can come from anywhere, even nature, if we pay attention.

All of my creature experiences made me think about the problems we face in this world.

Sometimes, like the groundhog, a situation arises that is so unexpected that it startles us.

Like the violent attacks in our schools, places of work and worship.

Places filled with teaching, community and music one minute can be filled with devastation the next when evil pops up.

It leaves us shaken, startled because we don’t see it coming.

Then there are situations that arise like seeing the chipmunk.

We are aware of what is happening, but we aren’t as concerned because it is at a distance.

 It doesn’t affect us.

Maybe a natural disaster or an injustice that is happening to someone else that we stay silent about.

We do not always react to things that do not directly impact us.

Finally, like the bee, sometimes problems come right at us.

We recognize it quickly and take action to push it away.

But like the bee, Satan will come at us time and time again.

We need to be grounded and prepared to push him away.

His attacks will come at us directly on one day, and in more subtle ways the next.

We need to be prepared for any situation to protect ourselves from his attacks.

Spending time with our heavenly Father helps us prepare for the battles we face here on earth.

“The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3

Our heavenly Father is ever present in our times of trouble.

“By this I know that You delight in me: my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.” Psalm 41:11

Friends, we can be confident in any circumstances because we know who stands with us always.

“Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.” Prov 3:25-26