Following where God leads

A song sequence in dialogue form

Image source: https://cace.org/following-jesus-in-a-hostile-culture/

It occurred to me that these 6 hymns/worship songs on the theme of FOLLOWING GOD form an interesting sequence:

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Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (John 6:68)

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:11)

…carefully follow all these laws I command you today—to love the Lord your God and to walk always in obedience to him. (Deuteronomy 19:9)

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

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The Voice of a Follower of Jesus

Christ be my leader by night as by day

Christ be my leader by night as by day;
safe through the darkness for he is the way.
Gladly I follow, my future his care,
darkness is daylight when Jesus is there.

Christ be my teacher in age as in youth,
drifting or doubting, for he is the truth.
Grant me to trust him, though shifting as sand,
doubt cannot daunt me; in Jesus I stand.

Christ be my Savior in calm as in strife;
death cannot hold me, for he is the life.
Nor darkness nor doubting nor sin and its stain
can touch my salvation: with Jesus I reign.

www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/hymn-lyrics/christ_be_my_leader_by_night_as_by_day.htm#google_vignette

The Voice of Jesus

Will you come and follow me
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown?
Will you let my name be known
Will you let my life be grown in you
And you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind
If I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
And never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
Should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you
And you in me?

Will you let the blinded see
If I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free
And never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean And admit to what I mean in you
And you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide
If I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
And never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found
To reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you
And you in me?

The Follower’s Voice:

Lord your summons echoes true
When you but call my name
Let me turn and follow you
And never be the same
In Your company I'll go
Where Your love and footsteps show
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you
And you in me

https://genius.com/John-bell-and-graham-maule-the-summons-lyrics

But being human… all our best intentions go astray…

This amazing song of repentance will not play on Substack but can be found on YouTube directly. See My Life Is Your, Yahweh A song of personal confession of brokenness, repentance, and transformation

My life is yours Yahweh,

I’ve tried to make it mine, chased my own plans

Lived in the flesh, worked with my hands

Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost.

But I never stopped to count the cost

I walked away from what was true.

Did what I wanted, not what pleased You.

I was blind to what was right

Stumbling through the darkest night

But then You called me by my name

And nothing’s ever been the same

My life is Yours, Yahweh

I’m laying down my pride today

I’ve run too far, I’ve gone too long

But Your love kept calling me home

I’m so sorry for the life I lived

All the selfish things I did

Now I surrender all I’ve been

My life is Yours, Yahweh

I looked for peace in broken things

Poured my heart into empty dreams

I heard Your voice but turned away

Chose the night instead of day

But still You stayed, still You cared

You waited for me in every prayer

You never gave up on my soul

Even when I lost control

Now I come with open hands

Ready now to take Your plan

My life is Yours, Yahweh

I’m laying down my pride today

I’ve run too far, I’ve gone too long

But Your love kept calling me home

I’m so sorry for the life I lived

All the selfish things I did

Now I surrender all I’ve been

My life is Yours, Yahweh

Take my heart, renew my mind

Let me leave the past behind

Every breath and every step

Let it be in righteousness

My life is Yours, Yahweh

I trust You more with each new day

I’m not perfect, but I believe

Your mercy’s big enough for me

I won't fight You anymore

I’ve found the One worth living for

Now I surrender all I’ve been

My life is Yours, Yahweh

My life… is Yours…

Yahweh…

Following Repentance, a feeling of peace, gratitude and praise

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise,
the city of our God, the holy place,
the joy of the whole Earth.
Great is the Lord in whom we have the victory,
he aids us against the enemy,
we bow down on our knees.

And Lord, we want to lift your name on high,
and Lord, we want to thank you,
for the works you’ve done in our lives;
and Lord, we trust in your unfailing love,
for you alone are God eternal,
throughout Earth and Heaven above.

https://www.music-ministry.org/songs/great-is-the-lord-and-most-worthy-of-praise/

The Voice of the Father

Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.

Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.

In my love’s baptismal river,

I have made you mine forever.

Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.

Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.

Here you learned how much I love you, what I can cure.

Here you heard my dear Son’s story,

here you touched him, saw his glory.

Go, my children, sins forgiven, at peace and pure.

Go, my children, fed and nourished, closer to me.

Grow in love and love by serving, joyful and free.

Here my Spirit’s power filled you,

here my tender comfort stilled you.

Go, my children, fed and nourished, joyful and free.

I, the Lord, will bless and keep you, and give you peace.

I, the Lord, will smile upon you, and give you peace.

I, the Lord, will be your Father, Savior, Comforter, and Brother.

Go, my children, I will keep you, and give you peace.

(Image Source: https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/philippians_1-2.htm)

And all the people say:

(Image Source: https://www.olivetree.com/blog/amen/)