A Song Stuck In My Head

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? You know, one you can't get out of your head? A song that maybe drives you crazy or makes you think? Yeah, I've got a song stuck in my head and yes it has made me think.

Fair warning: The song stuck in my head is not a Rock, Pop, Country, Rap or Love song. The song stuck in my head is a hymn that I have sung in church hundreds of times. Yes I have the "normal" verses memorized, but there is more to the song. So here goes:

The song is Come, Follow Me. It is a song about following the Savior Jesus Christ and his teachings. The lyrics are as follows:

1. "Come, follow me," the Savior said.
Then let us in his footsteps tread,
For thus alone can we be one
With God's own loved, begotten Son.

This verse is an invitation to walk in His footsteps and become "one" with the Savior in purpose. Following in one's footsteps is admirable when the one is someone who has led a great life and done great good. Following in the Savior's footsteps means that we are striving to become perfect like He is. It also means that we learn his commandments and teachings and do our best to obey and follow them.

2. "Come, follow me," a simple phrase,
Yet truth's sublime, effulgent rays
Are in these simple words combined
To urge, inspire the human mind.

Truth comes to us when we strive to do what's right. The invitation to follow the Savior and learn the truth should urge us on to perfection and inspire us to always do what's right.

3. Is it enough alone to know
That we must follow him below,
While trav'ling thru this vale of tears?
No, this extends to holier spheres.

Verse three reminds us that even though we follow the Savior in this life, we must also follow Him in the next. Life does not end with death, but continues and the Savior's example also continues into eternity.

4. Not only shall we emulate
His course while in this earthly state,
But when we're freed from present cares,
If with our Lord we would be heirs.

Emulating the Savior means loving everyone. We do not judge others but rather show empathy and love. We praise, comfort, console, encourage, etc in order to let all men know we believe that all are God's precious children

The next two verses are not traditionally sung, but when I read through them I knew they were also part of the reason this song is stuck in my head.

5. We must the onward path pursue
As wider fields expand to view,
And follow him unceasingly,
Whate'er our lot or sphere may be.

Life may not seem fair. We may not be blessed with the comforts of this life. We may have trials that wear on us. We may have family that we long to be close to, but for one reason or another cannot. We fight with personal demons so that we can try and live the best life possible. We must strive to follow Him unceasingly.

6. For thrones, dominions, kingdoms, pow'rs,
And glory great and bliss are ours,
If we, throughout eternity,
Obey his words, "Come, follow me."

Even though life is tough, there is a reward for our efforts. We can receive all that the Father has. We only have to obey his words, "Come, follow me".

I think this song has been stuck in my head because I need a course correction. It could be that I am not following Him to the degree to which I should. Have I showed love to all men? Have I obeyed His commandments? Have I been kind even when I disagree? Have I thought of my neighbor and done something to help him/her?

I don't know all the reasons why this song has been in my head for the last two weeks. I am committed to finding out where I need to improve and try to tread in His footsteps more.