Suivez nous

There we were, in a town we didn’t know, looking for a particular supermarket. Having driven around – and got absolutely nowhere – I drove into the car-park of a Garden Centre in order to enquire of the staff. However, as I got out of the car, I noticed a lady loading some plants into her own vehicle. “Pardon, Madame”, I commenced – and went on, in my very best French, to explain that I was on holiday from Scotland where people generally speak the English language, and that I spoke only a little French. I then asked if she knew if the store for which we were looking, was close by.

She obviously knew the whereabouts of the shop in question but, even when joined by her grown-up daughter, they were experiencing some difficulty in working out the proper directions! My problem was in keeping up with the speed of their French!! Eventually, the daughter spoke just two words: “Suivez nous” – “Follow us”. I asked if they were going that way and was informed that they were not, but that it was okay. Grateful for their assistance, I got back into my car, and we followed them all the way to the car-park of the supermarket that we wanted.

How much easier it was to simply follow someone who knew the way, than to try to follow what were very complicated directions. It reminded me, instantly, that as a disciple of the Lord Jesus, that’s all I have to do day by day. He doesn’t give me a list of intricate instructions. Rather, He says “I am the Way. Follow me”. (Jn.14:6; Jn.1:43)

The French lady, and her daughter, led us all the way to a supermarket car-park – and then they left without us even finding out their names! But we will not easily forget them – or the many others who, over the years, have gone out of their way to be of assistance to us.

However, when it comes to Jesus, He shows us the way to eternal life – life lived in His Presence. And He never leaves us. It cost that French lady a few minutes of her time, and a half-litre of fuel. It cost the Lord Jesus the pain and suffering of the passion and the crucifixion. The French lady and her daughter helped out a couple of total strangers. Jesus died for those who deserved to die.

I trust that if any of my readers are ever as stuck as we were today, some kind person will say “Follow me” – in whatever the local language might be. But be sure that you are following the One Who alone has “… the words that give eternal life.” (Jn.6:68)