This question has been rolling around in my head for about a week.

Last Sunday I participated in an online worship service of NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC where one of my favorite pastors, Pete Wilson was a guest speaker for the weekend. Pete preached an amazing message about Joseph’s life story (you can begin reading his story here).  The thing that hit me most from the message was this: “Do you follow Me because of Who I Am or because of the good things I give to you?”

Joseph followed a God he never read about but obviously knew and had heard from personally.  He rode the roller coaster of situations in his life, trusting in his God not because of what God would give him, but because God was HIS God.  The relationship he had with his God was worth it.  Above all, Joseph was passionate about his love for God.

I had to dig deep inside myself asking that question and I didn’t like the answer.  I have followed God, at least lately, for what He can give me.  I pray and pray and every time something falls through or falls apart, I have more questions and fall farther behind in my following.  Now, don’t get me wrong, God gives good gifts to those He loves.  But here is what I am BEGINNING to learn…

He is giving me good gifts and I can’t see them because I am waiting for ones I dictate, ones I don’t really need, at least not now. I am learning I don’t know what I need, but He does.

So, it’s time to get back to the basics.  God is righteous and He wants me to be righteous, that is, in a right relationship with Him. I follow because He is God and He is good, not just because of what He gives me, but because He first loved me in a way that no one else can love me.

why do you follow?