I'll Follow Him in Faith

My sister in law told me a story about a time when her mother was boating down in Lake Powell.  She explained how a storm came up and the boat that her mother was in began to take on water as the huge waves splashed into the boat.  They worked frantically to bail water out of the boat.  Her mother credits her survival (as well as the others on the boat) to a larger boat who came to their rescue.  The people in the larger boat invited those in the smaller boat, to follow them, in the safety of the wake, and they would lead the smaller boat safely to shore. 

The gospel parallels of that story have been profound to me.  We are like the small boat that, despite our best efforts, becomes overwhelmed by the storms and waves that surround us.  Without the Savior and on our own, we are like the saying goes, "up a creek without a paddle."  The Savior is patiently inviting us to follow in the safety and peace of His "wake".  In the scriptures He invites all people to "come unto me" and "come follow me."


2 Nephi 31:12

12 And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

So how do we follow Him and stay in His wake?  We need to be willing to keep the commandments and to make and keep our covenants.

1 Nephi 17:13

13 And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.

I love this image of the Savior, being a light in the wilderness, preparing the way before us as we journey in this life.  I imagine being able to see Him, as the Captain of the boat, successfully navigating through the storm and difficult waters to the blissful shore.  Faith is knowing who is at the helm and trusting enough to follow in His wake---no matter the winds, the waves, or the cost!  

In the hymn "How Great the Wisdom and the Love", the 4th verse reads:

4. He marked the path and led the way,

And ev'ry point defines

To light and life and endless day

Where God's full presence shines.

"We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult. But I give you this promise in the name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength."

"You Can Do It Now! " BY PRESIDENT DIETER F. UCHTDORF

The words in the song "I'll Follow Him in Faith" by Janice Kapp Perry, reflect the feelings in my heart:

1. The Lord has blessed me with gospel truth.

I have learned His ways in my early youth. 

I will share my light for I know it’s right

To testify of Him.

The Lord has blessed me with simple faith.

If I pray for help, He will give me strength.

I will do His work.  I will gladly serve.

I’ll follow Him in faith.

2. The Lord has blessed me to feel His love.

I have felt His promptings and learned to trust.

So in all I do, I’ll be faithful to

The things I know are true. 

The Lord has blessed me in many ways.

With a thankful heart I will sing His praise.

I will raise my voice and proclaim my choice

To follow Him in faith.

He has shown the way, and through all my days,

I’ll follow Him in faith.