May I say, and give it as an opinion, that all of us follow someone, whether we know it or not.

I recall some time ago being in the mountains on a memorable three-day adventure. The last leg of that ‘adventure,’ however, became a marathon twelve-hour hike back to civilization. Already worn down and tired from two days in the mountains, the hike became an ordeal, especially as darkness fell and we were still miles from our car. The terrain was steep and rough, our packs were heavy and getting heavier, and it was very dark. The batteries in our headlamps wore down as time went on. Soon, there were four of us, and only two lights. We couldn’t walk two-abreast on the trail; it was too narrow. We had to stay in single file. I became one of those in the party without a light … and it was difficult going; it seemed like I spent more time stumbling and picking myself up than I did walking. And when you’re nearing exhaustion, and your burden now seems measured in the tons rather than the pounds, your will to go on fades just like those batteries. I really began to wonder if we’d make it out that night. In my mind, I prayed silently for myself, and my friends.

Then all of a sudden, I caught on to something. In front of me my friend, Jason, had the light; I was the last man in the line. I noticed that if I concentrated very carefully on staying as close to him as I could, following him … exactly behind him, and placing my feet where he placed his, I stumbled far less; the going became considerably easier. Now, this wasn’t easy to do; it took some effort … but I caught on. Then on an impulse, I began to sing hymns, very very softly at first. You see, I can’t sing, and I’m very shy about anyone hearing my voice … but I sang. And interestingly enough, the more I sang hymns of praise and prayer that night, the lighter my burden felt and the easier it became. It wasn’t long before all of us were singing.

We walked out of those mountains somewhere around 2:00 in the morning, more exhausted and sore than I care to remember – but we made it … we made it home and rejoined our anxious families.

Now, the Lord once referred to us as sheep, I believe in part because we have a strong ‘following’ instinct. All of us follow someone. May I ask, “Who’s leading you? Where are you going?” – and most importantly, “Are you happy where you’re being taken?”

I tell you, Christ is the “Light of the World.” The more closely and exactly we follow Him, walking in His ways, lifting our hearts unto Him as we go, the greater will be the joy in our journey and the ecstasy of our Heavenly arrival. God bless you.