Come After Me!

So Jesus said to the: “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.¨ And at once they abandoned their nets and followed him.  Mark 1:17-18 (New World Translation)

Have you ever wondered what our reaction would have been that day if you and I were there and heard those words?  Would we have immediately have left our work, our family and friends?  Would we have just left everything we were doing and the life we were living, to follow Jesus?

Is there anything under the sun that is more important that hearing our Savior call, then getting into motion and following Him?

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Where shall we go and what shall we do?

There is a process here that continues to be just as crucial to each individual.  First, that voice reaches us.  Then there is a moment for us to react.  What we do in this moment decides an eternity for us and countless people who may be affected by that reaction we choose.  This reaction is not a simple and disconnected accord.  It means that action is required, drastic changes are made as we leave our nets and step in behind our Lord.  We cannot say yes, and then stay where we were, and keep on doing what we did before.

Fear is a natural reaction and probably the one we would first consider before we stood up and put distance between our old lives and this new one.  Who knows where He is going to lead us?  Anything could happen, and we like to have some say in where we go and what we do.  But Jesus just asked us if we would follow Him.  So what are we going to do?

Dear Jesus, Your voice comes to us loud and clear.  You not only called men by a lake years ago, but are calling us today.  Please give us the courage and faith, to get ourselves into motion.  Show us how to turn from all those things we love, and step out to follow You.  We do not need to know where You will lead us, what will happen, nor how we will do anything.  Strengthen our resolve.  You may even need to take our hands.  It is a big step for us but one we would choose to make today.  Let us give no thought for the things we leave behind, they too will find their place in You. Rather let us focus on one thing alone, and that is being with You and following You forever.

Amen