Wherever He Leads, I Will Follow

 

* June Outdoor Funday 

7/20/25

Stetson Memorial UMC

<Dog Walking>

These days, my daughter and I often walk a church member’s dog. People assume he’s ours. He’s a strong, handsome golden retriever. When we first walked him, he kept stopping—maybe because he wasn’t used to walking much. He stuck out his tongue and looked at us like he was saying, “This is too hard!” My daughter would toss a snack in front of him to get him going, but he’d still try to take breaks or wander off. After a few weeks, he built up strength. Now he runs with us. No more snacks needed. Walking with him, I began to see something: our walk with God can look a lot like this.

In Tourist or Pilgrim?, Jordan Rieger asks us: What kind of traveler are you? At first glance, tourists and pilgrims both go on journeys—but they’re very different. A tourist demands; a pilgrim gives thanks. Tourists choose where to go, what to eat, and what they expect to get. But a pilgrim doesn’t plan the way. A pilgrim entrusts the journey to the one who leads—and gives thanks for each step.

Just like the dog who gave up pulling and started trusting us to lead him, we are called to give our leash to our Master. And in today’s Scripture, I see the moment Peter handed his leash back to Jesus.

Last Sunday, we remembered the miracle of the five loaves and two fish at the Sea of Galilee. And during last week’s SPPR and Worship Committee meetings, I also saw that same miracle in our church. When SPPR ended, no one left—they stayed for the Worship Committee. You are like a small but mighty team—each of you serving like ten. I was deeply moved to see so many working together in worship. I thank you sincerely for offering your five loaves and two fish each week. You help feed God’s people with every prayer, every song, every unseen task.

 

<The Sea of Galilee>

Today, we return to the Sea of Galilee to witness another miracle. This is where Jesus first called His disciples. Peter and Andrew had fished all night and caught nothing. They had already washed their nets. Then a carpenter told veteran fishermen to try again—this time, in the deep water.

What if a new pastor told you where to invest your money—would you listen? Peter and John did listen. They cast the net, and they caught more than they ever imagined. That was the moment Peter gave up his own authority over his life. He let Jesus take the lead. He became a fisher of people and began his journey as a disciple.

For three years, he walked beside Jesus around this very Sea of Galilee. He saw miracles. He saw five loaves and two fish feed thousands. He thought the story would end with Jesus crowned as King. But it didn’t. Peter saw Jesus arrested and killed. Though Peter had boldly said he would die for Jesus, he denied Him three times by a fire in the high priest’s courtyard. It broke him. He wept bitterly.

 

<Again>

Then he heard the news: Jesus had risen. He saw Him with his own eyes. And once again, he returned to the Sea of Galilee. Once again, he caught no fish. Once again, he felt shame, just like Katie’s special song says: “Again.” Shame, regret, guilt. “Will I ever stop falling again?” Then he heard a voice: “Throw your net on the right side.” And when he did—again—they caught a huge catch, just like before. And Peter knew—again—Jesus was with them.

This time, Jesus had made a fire. Bread and fish were ready. And Jesus asked, “Peter, do you love Me?” Again. “Do you love me?” Again. “Do you love me?” Again. With the same lips that had denied Him, Peter now confessed love three times. And Jesus forgave him again. He gave Peter another chance. He said, “Feed My sheep.” He said, “Follow Me.” He didn’t say, “Go where you want.” He said, “Come where I lead.”

Right there—on the same shore where Peter was first called—Jesus called him again. With love, with forgiveness, and with purpose.

Peter had walked on water. He had defended Jesus with a sword. He had run to the empty tomb. And now he would walk a new road—led by the Spirit, not by his own plans. He would share the gospel with the Gentile Cornelius. And as Jesus had said, Peter would be crucified upside down. He no longer lived for himself. He followed wherever Jesus led.

 

<My Calling and recalling Story>

I see my own calling and re-calling in Peter’s story. When I was eight, something changed in me and in my father—something only Jesus could do. In the relationship between my father, me, and our heavenly Father, we had caught no fish. But God transformed us both. After that, I gave my life to Him. My life goal became helping others experience that love. So I began to serve—not just as a pastor’s daughter, but on my own: playing piano, singing in choir, leading Sunday school, and youth. I met Jesus many times after that. I didn’t become perfect. But my direction changed. I had a Master. And I began walking with Him.

In 2014, God led our family to Aroostook County. We didn’t know anyone. I was scared. But through Pastor Pat MacHue, I started my journey toward ministry. At the same time, God gave us five children! I paused my training many times for parenting. For over ten years, it felt like I couldn’t catch a single fish. I asked God, “Why call me if I can’t serve?” And God said, “I haven’t taken away your calling. You are living your calling.” That’s when I gave my leash back to the Lord.

In 2021, I hit another wall. A spiritual mentor I loved opposed my calling. For the first time, I felt deep depression. My world shook.

But God called me again:

“Do you love me more than these?”

I answered, “Lord, You know that I love You.”

And He healed the wounds of my childhood.

Then He opened the door to Mars Hill UMC.

In 2024, I marked ten years of ministry in this region. Though I had no family nearby, God gave me a family here. Though my English sounded like a child’s, He let me lead Bible study and children’s ministry.

Then came the church split. Many members left. I wondered: Should I go, too? Were these ten years in vain?

But once more, God asked me,

“Do you love me?”

I answered, “Lord, You know that I love You.”

That’s when God began the nursing home ministry through Roberta Finnmore. He gave me strength again.

When I prayed for new momentum across our three churches, He asked again,

“Do you love me?”

And I said, “Lord, You know everything. You know how weak I am, how sinful, how small—and You know how much I love You.” And He said again, “Feed My sheep.”

And He opened the door to serve at Patten UMC. He said, “Follow Me.”

 

So now, my family and I have made up our minds: we will not live as tourists, choosing our own way. We will live as pilgrims, following wherever God leads.

We have given Him our leash.

As I prepare for ministry at Patten, I have often fasted in the morning and sung the same hymn every day:

“I can hear my Savior calling, Take thy cross and follow, follow Me. Where He leads me, I will follow,

I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.”

And I sing: “I’ll go with Him through the garden. I’ll go with Him through the judgment. He will give me grace and glory.”

I’m still like Peter—passionate, sometimes impulsive, full of thoughts. But the Lord called me again, right here in Aroostook County—my Sea of Galilee.

He said, “Follow Me.”

Or maybe even, “Follow Mane.” (You know who you are.)

 

<Our calling and recalling story>

As I wrote this sermon, Katie made the same decision. She grew up going to church, but it hadn’t been her own faith. In her own season of “catching nothing,” the Lord met her. And Katie publicly confessed her decision to follow Jesus.

Now, a peace the world cannot give rests in her heart. And today, she stands before you to say: she will follow where Jesus leads. She wants to help others who are still hurting, still fishing all night and catching nothing.

I’m so grateful to begin this new pilgrimage—not just with Katie, but with you, dear Patten family.

One day, while biking with my family, we saw a huge dog walking beside its owner, no leash. It didn’t pull or wander. It simply walked in step. A leash of trust held it close. That’s how I want to walk with the Lord—and with all of you. Thank You, Lord, for calling us again. Thank You for leading us again. Thank You for walking with us, all the way.

Today, may we give the leash back to our Lord. Or better yet, may we walk freely by His side— Leashed not by fear, but by love and trust. May we walk with Jesus to the very end. Amen.