We should follow our Lord as unhesitatingly as sheep follow their shepherd. He has every right to lead us wherever he pleases. We are not our own—we were bought with a price. Let us recognize the rights of his redeeming blood.

A soldier follows his captain. A servant obeys his master. How much more must we follow our Redeemer, who purchased us for himself! We are not true Christians if we question our Leader's commands. Submission is our duty. Caviling is our folly. How often Jesus must want to say to us what he said to Peter: "What is that to you? You follow me!"

Wherever Jesus leads us, he goes ahead of us. If we don't know where we're going, we know who we're going with. And with such a companion, who will dread the dangers on the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us all the way home. The presence of Jesus guarantees eternal salvation. Because he lives, we will live also.

We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because every path he leads us down ends in glory and immortality. True, these paths may not be smooth. They may be covered with sharp, cutting trials. But they lead to the city with foundations, whose builder and maker is God. "All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant."

So let us put full trust in our Leader. Whether we face prosperity or adversity, sickness or health, popularity or contempt, his purpose will be accomplished. And that purpose? Pure, unmingled good for every child of mercy.

We will find it sweet to climb the cold, barren hillside with Christ. When rain and snow blow into our faces, his precious love will make us far more blessed than those who sit at home warming their hands at the world's fire. To the mountain peaks, to the lions' dens, to the hills where leopards prowl—we will follow our Beloved anywhere.

Precious Jesus, draw us, and we will run after you.