Skip to main content

Follow Me - Matthew 4:19


"Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men."


I grew up hearing those words as something Jesus said to the disciples. I never thought He was calling me to be a fisher. After all, I don't particularly like fishing.

But my faith isn't only a faith that makes me happy. Or, at least my initial revulsion at something - like this command - is an indication that my own stuff is getting in the way of following. Because Jesus promises me joy in the end. From The Vulnerable Way (sermon) the other week, I remember it was for the joy set before Him that He endured the cross.

This promise that the last thing will be the best thing - it's hard to remember in the midst of pain and struggle.

And what if the whole "fishers of men" bit is about giving me a higher calling than the job I do? Might He say instead to me, since web accessibility is my primary focus at work,

"You can make my Kingdom accessible to all people. Leave behind the worries and cares of providing for yourself. My calling on your life is so much higher. I have called you to stay - both at work and at home - because it is about accessibility - just not to the web, but to My heart for the people around you. I am calling you to Me, to remember the joy, remember your why. You were made for so much more than this - and that more is available right now, not when things are 'better' or 'less exhausting' or 'easier.' Now. Do you trust Me enough to be enough? I want to shower you with love and blessing. Will you let Me?"

Yes. Again yes.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pain. Defining it and comparing it.

One of the authors I follow on Facebook recently posted a link to one of her friend’s blog posts.  It caught my attention since she introduced it by saying, “ Ever feel like your pain isn't worth mentioning because someone else has it far worse?”  I have experienced that recently far more than I can say so I headed over to read the post (linked here ). The post is about two things - keeping secrets and the damage that does to us (that’s a whole other thing to write about) and feeling unworthy because my pain is less than another’s. Here’s the heart of my instinctive reaction to the idea of comparing pain that I posted in the comments: “I’ve had this really miserable cold for 5 weeks,” they say in a mournful tone. Then hastily backing up, “But it’s nothing compared to what you’re going through!” My response is always that there is no comparison in pain or trauma. My bad is bad to me. Your bad is bad to you. And who’s to say whose bad is worse? Certainly not me! Pai...
1 comment
Read more

Repent - Matthew 4:17

"Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." It is God's cry through the prophets throughout the Old Testament - "Repent! Turn back to Me." This is different - "Repent! I have come close to you." In the light of all Jesus did, all He said when he took on flesh, how can I respond with anything but what He asks? Repent - turn away from. Replace the things that draw my attention with the wholly attractive and all consuming face of God mad flesh. What would it look like if I replaced all the time I spend on my phone with contemplation of the One who loves me? How would I manifest the love of God in new ways when I know it so much better because it consumes my random thought? All things but Jesus in moderation. Repentance in full measure because God has come near to me and calls me away from a life wasted on inconsequential things.
Post a Comment
Read more

Shine - Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Ephesians 2:7 - It's about Who gets the glory for the good things they see in my. And I think more important for me today, it's about the dialogue in my head when someone compliments me. Do I believe that I am somehow worthy of that praise inherently? Or do I believe that I am working out who God designed me to be and so the glory goes to Him? I am salt. I am light. I am not behaving as both or either. Does my light blind people with its intensity? Does my salt kill fields? Or does my light illuminate the road? Does my salt bring out other flavors and help maintain health? Jesus, May I always be about You, not me. And when I'm not, would You gently shed light on that place so it becomes clear? Then help me knock down the idol I've erected and clean up the mess it leaves when it is destroyed?
Post a Comment
Read more