Follow the Rabbi

I went to Israel for two weeks this past January through school. It was an absolutely amazing experience - hiking all over the Negev, Jerusalem and Galilee.

I was reflecting on this experience this past Sunday during church. I thought about how on all of our hikes, our tour guide Rami was such a wealth of information. There would be times when we would be hiking, and he would just spout off information about the land, about Jesus, about the people, about all of the above. And sometimes only those who were really close behind him could hear the comments he made. I always made it a point to be near the front on the hikes so I didn't miss any of the information he would give. I noticed that there were a lot of things that got missed by those who tended to stay near the back. At one point, Rami turned to me and said that he enjoyed seeing me so close to the front all the time - he could tell that I was very interested in learning as much as I could. And it was true; I didn't care who was behind me or what was around if Rami was saying something.

And as I thought about this I realized something: how many things has Jesus said that I've missed because I've gotten distracted or tired and lagged behind? What would it look like to follow Him that closely? I think about who is walking beside me and what is around me more than I am truly intent upon following the Rabbi.

And what would happen to me and those around me if I were to live life like that? How can I be so interested in what Rami said and be so blase when God speaks? These should be life-changing, earth-shattering lessons, and instead I gloss over them in a harried or haggard state?

What we've missed before we cannot afford to miss anymore. We need to walk close behind Jesus and listen for what He is telling us.

Don't look back. Don't lag behind.

Follow the Rabbi.