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Key Bible Verse: Then Jesus said, "Come to me… Let me teach you… and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28—29). Bonus Reading: Exodus 33:12—23

When I first became a follower of Jesus, I assumed that I was now in a race, with Jesus running way ahead. My job was to "follow His dust," keeping my eyes on the trail He left behind. If I ran fast enough, like Moses, I'd catch a glimpse of the back of God to spur me on. I soon realized I could never run fast enough to catch up with Jesus. I seriously thought about quitting.

Then suddenly, I opened my eyes and saw not the back of Christ zipping away from me, but the face of Christ calling me toward Him. This Christian life, I discovered, is like a father teaching a toddler to walk. Kneeling down to my level, eyes locking hard on mine, hands outstretched in my direction, Jesus leads me through this life.

And like a daddy carefully leading a diaper-clad boy, each forward step I take means a backward step for Him. But that's okay. He knows where we're going without ever taking His eyes off me.

So my job in this life is to be ever searching for God's face. Because God leads backward, turning His face toward me, teaching me to walk—step after tottering step—until I finally arrive and fall into His loving, caring arms.

—Mike Nappa in The Courage to Be a Christian

My Response: Am I sensing fatigue or fulfillment as a Jesus follower? Why?

Thought to Apply: You'll never be satisfied just to know about God. Really knowing God only comes through experience as He reveals Himself to you.—HENRY BLACKABY

Adapted from The Courage to Be a Christian (Howard, 2001) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

If I'm to really meet with You daily, Lord, I need to create space for that encounter. Please show me how.

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