“Oh! If Jesus would only just speak to me; if He would just say, ‘Come to Me, Lillie,’ then I should know He really meant me, and wanted me to come to Him!”
Such were the words of a little girl as she stood one night looking out on the lawn and shrubbery, so peaceful and still in the moonlight. Lillie had been reading about a child of her own age, who had come to Jesus, and whom He had made very happy. After Mother had tucked her in and had given her “good-night” kiss, Lillie thought of that child, and wished that she too loved Jesus. She could not go to sleep, so she got up and looked at the pretty moonlit garden, her mind full of busy, troubled thoughts.
God had lately been showing her that she was a sinner, and the thought of that was what made her sad this eving. Though she was quite young, she was conscious that she had a burden—the burden of sin; and she was woering whether Jesus would receive her with that burden, or whether she could get rid of it before she came to Him.
A hand was gently laid on Lillie’s shoulder. It was her mother, who had noticed her restlessness and unhappiness the last few days, and felt sure she was seeking Jesus. She had been praying for Lillie, when she heard her moving in her room, and now she had come to give her the same message as they gave to blind Bartimeus— “Be of good comfort, rise; He calleth thee.” Mark 10:4949And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. (Mark 10:49). Very lovingly she pointed out how the blind man believed that Jesus called him, though it was only other people who echoed the call; and how he, “casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus,” and at once received his sight.
Lillie came to Jesus that night, and He took her burden all away. Ever since then Lillie has been “following Jesus in the way.” Notice that it says “the way,” not “a way.” It is the way that leads to heaven — a safe, happy path, on which many feet—little and big—are traveling. The Lord Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6). He is the only way in which we might be saved and enter heaven.
I wonder whether your feet are safely in the way. If not, dear young friend, begin at once! “Rise; He calleth thee.”
ML 11/29/1959