July 31 🌿 “FOLLOW ME” — THE JOURNEY OF A DISCIPLE FOLLOW ME...IN MY TIME 📖 John 13:36 (LLV) — “Simon Peter asked Him, ‘Lord, where are You going?’ Jesus answered, ‘Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.’” Peter was ready to follow. At least, he believed he was. He had walked with Jesus. Listened to His teaching. Witnessed His miracles. And now, as Jesus spoke of leaving, Peter wanted to go too. “Lord, where are You going?” Peter did not understand what was about to happen. Jesus did. And His answer contained both a limitation and a promise. “You cannot follow Me now…” Sometimes, following Jesus means accepting that His timing is different from ours. We may be ready for the next chapter. Ready for the answer. Ready for the opportunity. Ready for something to change. And God says, “Not yet.” Waiting can be one of the hardest parts of following. We understand the command, “Go.” We understand, “Come.” But sometimes the word we need to obey is, “Wait.” Peter still had much to learn. There would be failure. There would be restoration. There would be years of serving, teaching, and strengthening others. Jesus knew all of that before Peter did. Then came the promise: “…but you will follow later.” Peter's waiting did not mean Jesus had forgotten him. It meant Jesus still had a purpose for him. The same can be true in our lives. A closed door does not always mean “Never.” An unanswered prayer does not always mean “No.” Sometimes, God simply says, “Not yet. Keep walking with Me.” We do not need to know the timing of everything God has planned. We need only to trust the One who does. A new beginning waits here: learning that following Jesus means trusting not only where He leads, but also when He chooses to lead us there. Reflection: Is there something I am impatient for God to do? Can I trust that His “not yet” may be just as loving as His “go”? Prayer: Lord Jesus, I confess that waiting is difficult for me. I often want answers now and doors to open according to my timing. Teach me to trust Your wisdom when You say, “Not yet.” Help me remain faithful in the place where You have me today, confident that You know what lies ahead and will lead me there at the right time. Amen.