READ: PSALM 23; JOHN 10:11-18; 14:1-21

I bent down to snatch a wildflower from beside the path and then hurried on. I rushed to catch up once again with my beloved family member—I’ll call him Nash here—who had agreed to let me accompany him on a walk in the woods. I rejoiced to spend rare one-on-one time with Nash. However, after realizing my little legs couldn’t keep pace with his adult stride, I wasn’t sure Nash hoped to spend time with me. During the walk, I felt left behind and ignored; Nash barely spoke to me. I returned home confused and hurt. Had Nash wanted me there after all?

It’s difficult to follow someone who travels too fast for those trying to join. Thankfully, we have a different kind of leader in Jesus. One who doesn’t leave His followers behind.

God wants to be in relationship with us. He wants us to be with Him. That’s why Jesus died on the cross for us and then rose from the grave. Because our sin separated us from God, He made the way for us to receive forgiveness for our sins. When we trust Jesus to pay for our sins, He exchanges our guilt for His righteousness—and His Holy Spirit comes to live within us. So, even though Jesus ascended into heaven, He is still with us through His Spirit, and He wants to walk with us. Galatians 5:25 explains, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Having new life in Christ means His Spirit leads us as we follow moment by moment.

How did Jesus lead others? He met them where they were. His disciples, though they observed His miracles and heard His teaching, still often failed to grasp His purpose. Yet He patiently responded to their questions even when the answers might have seemed obvious. He didn’t run ahead, unconcerned about whether they caught up. Jesus stayed close, providing instructions and reassurance. He invited them to walk with Him, and He never left them behind. Jesus wants to walk with us this way too, as He leads us with love step by step. • Allison Wilson Lee

• Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11). Would a good shepherd leave his sheep behind? (We can find Jesus’s answer in Luke 15:1-7; John 10:11-18, 27-30.)

• Can you think of a time you felt left behind, ignored, or unwanted? Jesus saw you then, and He sees you now. He has compassion on you, and He always wants you to be with Him (Mark 6:34; 10:13-16). In fact, He died and rose to not leave you behind. Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about any memories that come to mind, and ask Him to help you know His love more deeply and learn to keep in step with His Spirit.

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)