Contents
1. Story
2. Spiritual Exercise
3. Suggested Reflection
Story
In January 1936, Dr. B. B. McKinney was leading music at the Alabama Sunday School Convention. Rev. R. S. Jones, McKinney's friend, was the featured speaker. Rev. Jones, because of ill health, had recently returned from missionary service in Brazil.
The two men were visiting over dinner one evening, when Rev. Jones revealed to Dr. McKinney that his physicians would not allow him to return to South America. Dr. McKinney asked about his friend's future plans. Rev. Jones said, “I don’t know, but wherever He leads I’ll go.”
The words impressed themselves on Dr. McKinney’s mind. Before the evening session began, he had written the words and music of what was to become a great hymn.
At the close of Rev. Jones’ message, Dr. McKinney related the above story. And he sang “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go.”
Spiritual Exercise
Speak or sing "Wherever He Leads I'll Go":
Take up thy cross and follow Me," I heard my Master say; "I gave My life to ransom thee, Surrender your all today." Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.
He drew me closer to His side, I sought His will to know, And in that will I now abide, Wherever He leads I'll go. Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.
It may be thro' the shadows dim, Or o'er the stormy sea, I take my cross and follow Him, Wherever He leadeth me. Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.
My heart, my life, my all I bring to Christ who loves me so; He is my Master, Lord, and King, Wherever He leads I'll go. Wherever He leads I'll go, Wherever He leads I'll go, I'll follow my Christ who loves me so, Wherever He leads I'll go.
Suggested Reflection
1. Are you truly open to follow Christ wherever He might lead you at this point in your life? Or is saying such words as the above hymn meant to be only a nice, pious sentiment for us Christians? Does answering "Yes" to the question of openness to follow wherever Christ leads you cause you any unease? If so, pray about why that might be.
2. Meditate on the following scripture~Matthew 8.18-22(CEV). See if the Holy Spirit impresses anything from it on your heart. Pray about anything in the scripture that applies to you that you sense you need to pray about.
18When Jesus saw the crowd, he went across Lake Galilee. 19A teacher of the Law of Moses came up to him and said, "Teacher, I'll go anywhere with you!" 20Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens, and birds have nests. But the Son of Man doesn't have a place to call his own."
21Another disciple said to Jesus, "Lord, let me wait till I bury my father." 22Jesus answered, "Come with me, and let the dead bury their dead."
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