Yesterday, we said goodbye to our daughters, sons-in-law, and five grandchildren after five days together. This was a special treat, as we have not celebrated Christmas in person, all together, since 2018. It was sad to hug our people, knowing it would be months before we see them again.

I wasn’t looking forward to the trip home for another reason: I had to drive the four hours home. We had loaned one of our cars to our kids, so we had two vehicles in Raleigh. I was dreading the traffic getting out of town, although I wasn’t all that sad about four hours of quiet in the car by myself. (Five grandchildren under the age of eight make a lot of noise!)

The drive home turned out to be a great spiritual analogy for me. Todd was in front; all I had to do was keep up and stay focused on him. As we made our way back home, I realized it was much easier than I had anticipated.

When he sped up, I sped up.

When he changed lanes, I changed lanes.

When he turned, I turned.

I didn’t have to think about the speed limit or fret if we were going the right direction. I trusted that he knew the way home; all I had to do was follow.

I also had some help because I had Google Maps pulled up on my phone, connected to my car audio. At critical places, I’d hear the nice lady tell me ahead of time which way I could anticipate Todd would be going. In two miles, use the right two lanes to continue on Interstate 40…

I had one primary goal as I followed Todd home: keep up, staying close enough so that no other cars could come between us. Of course, I was aware of the other cars on the road, but ultimately, I knew if I stayed close, I’d get home safely.

As we wove our way through traffic, I realized, this is the way we ought to follow Jesus.

Jesus knows the way home.

He walked it; He experienced it. And His Father has a sovereign roadmap for each of us that fulfills His divine purpose for our lives, from birth to our release into our heavenly home. All we need to do is follow closely and not let any distractions come between us and Him that would cause us to lose sight of Him.

Many times, throughout the Gospels, Jesus would say to His disciples, “Follow Me.”

John 10:27-28 – My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

Follow is the Greek word akoloutheō. Vines defines it this way: “to be an akolouthos, a follower, or companion (from the prefix a, here expressing ‘union, likeness,’ and keleuthos, ‘a way;’ hence, ‘one going in the same way’).

In other words, we join Jesus in the way that He is going. We walk the road that He is walking.

1 John 2:6 – The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

We also have help as we strive to “keep up” with Jesus and follow Him with no distractions, allowing nothing to come between us. God told Isaiah that when His people repented, He would have compassion on them, and once again lead them in a very personal way: Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left (Isaiah 30:21). He does the same for us today, when we listen to the Holy Spirit’s instructions as He enlightens our understanding of the roadmap—the Bible, just as that kind lady verbalized the GPS route on my phone.

This year, I want to learn to follow Jesus more faithfully, more closely, more diligently. I want to stop thinking about where and how and why, and confidently trust that He knows the way I should take. I want to believe with all my heart that He’s leading me on the right road, that He knows when I need a “rest stop,” and that I can trust the Holy Spirit to encourage and guide me along God’s pre-planned route for my life.

Driving home yesterday, I knew where the journey ended. I looked forward with great joy to “getting home.” May I keep that same anticipation for the final destination God has promised to all who put their faith in Him, and simply follow Him home.

John 12:26 –  If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.