FOLLOW

 A classic old toy—a pull-along plastic dog with moving parts—still often gets dragged around the house by my three grandsons, ages 4 to 8. Usually they pull so fast that its “leash” gets caught in the moving limbs and it's soon bumping along on its head or side. That's when Nana has to remind them that puppy can't move all its legs that fast. Quickly they lose interest and find another toy.

The phrase “where He leads me” came to mind as I watched this little toy scuttle behind my grandsons. That phrase, highlighted in an old hymn, reminds us that God created us for a purpose. Not to be flailed about in life's play, but to focus on His plan for our life's journey.

The hymn begins “I can hear my Savior calling” (repeated thrice), ending, “Take thy cross and follow, follow Me.” The quote is from Matthew 16, when Jesus had just explained to His disciples that His suffering, death and resurrection were just ahead. Peter—typically abrupt--rebuked Jesus for that statement. Jesus replied with His own rebuke: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NIV).

The hymn was believed to be written about 1889 after Ernest W. Blandy (also spelled Blandly) immigrated to the United States from the United Kingdom. He had affiliated with the Salvation Army and could have taken a comfortable post with an established church. Instead, he chose the inner city. The toughest inner city. A place in New York called “Hell's Kitchen” for its poverty and crime. Many living there were Irish Americans. Perhaps his roots in the United Kingdom helped him connect with these people. Little is known about his hidden years of ministry. He died in 1915, about age 65.

The hymn's simple tune, which has the feel of an African American spiritual, was either composed or arranged by a Methodist pastor in Canada, John Norris. It would appear in 719 hymnals.

The hymn's first verse repeats, “I can hear my Savior calling” and concludes “Take thy cross and follow, follow me.” The second simple verse repeats, “I'll go with Him through the garden.” Finally, “He will give me grace and glory....and go with me, with me, all the way.”

It's so easy to get knotted up with various spiritual imperatives: Read this book. Witness this way. Worship only this way. Follow this spiritual leader. Use this Bible reading program. We're apt to flail about like a little doggy toy pulled too fast. Jesus offers the steady pull, just right for us, as He guides us on our life's journey.

The end of this website has the music score and lyrics:

Where He Leads Me | Hymnary.org

Sing along:

Where He Leads Me (I Can Hear My Saviour Calling) - Bing video