Note: The scripture has a link that will take you to an online, King James bible
if you would like to read the whole chapter.
Observation: When Jesus calls, let nothing stand in the way... not time, not livelihood, not relations. When Jesus stood on the shore that fateful day and called to James and John, they immediately left the ship, and their father and followed him. They were not just leaving for a time - they gave up everything to follow Him. They left the ship that provided the livelihood for their family, they left their father and all they had known behind, and they followed immediately...not a minute wasted.
Application: So simple, yet so much harder than it sounds. We grow attached to our earthly lives, so attached, that we often fail to heed the Master's call. We get attached to our worldly comforts, to our daily routines and to those that God brings into our lives. We get attached to job security and knowing where our next meal comes from and where we are going to sleep at night. We get attached to inanimate objects like our homes and our 'toys'. We get attached to ideas that we take on as our own and beliefs that we choose to live by. And each day that we live here on this earth, it becomes more and more ensnaring... and we become more attached.
When Jesus is standing on that shore calling to me, I want it to be said that I immediately followed Him. That nothing withstanding, I gave my life to Him. And I hear His call daily - He calls me out of my comfort zone to talk to people I have never met, He calls me out of my self-righteousness and to humility, He calls me out of my indignation and to forgiveness, and He calls me out of my selfishness and into kindness. When He calls, I try to listen. I admit, I fail daily, and as of yet, He has never called me to leave everything to follow Him... just small steps...steps that I can take knowing He is right beside me. And I am thankful for His mercies. I hope someday He will decide I am ready to leave all and follow Him... because I know, that He will still be there, right beside me.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Please help me to keep my eyes on you rather than on the things of this world. When Peter took his eyes of You, he began to sink into the stormy seas... and I know that every time I get my eyes focused on the world around me, I too, begin to sink. Help me to be watching for the moments when You are passing by on that shore, help me to be listening for Your call, and help me to always be willing and ready to follow You. I know that I am attached to many things here on this earth, but Lord, none of them should ever come between You and me. Please help me Lord, to always be ready. In Jesus name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment