Committed Followers

“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him,” (Luke 5:11).

God Almighty is always impressed with men and women who are willing to leave everything and follow him. God was impressed with Abraham because in response to God’s call, he obeyed and went, leaving everything behind to pursue the journey dictated by God. Amazingly, the Holy Spirit tells us Abraham went although he did not know where he was going, (Heb. 11:8).

The apostles of Jesus made a similar decision to follow Jesus, leaving everything behind, they went forward with Jesus and as a result changed the course of the world.

Today our Lord Jesus is asking us to make a similar journey with Him. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own,” (Matt 6:33-34). His kingdom is the Church of Christ and we are to give her the highest priority in our lives. Putting Christ first, is putting His Church first, they are eternally linked and cannot be separated.

Let us therefore cultivate the commitment and faith to “leave everything and follow him.” Let us allow Christ to make us into the kind servants He wants us to be “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” (Prov 3:5-6). Let us pray,

“Eternal Father in heaven, thank you for your kindness and patience with us your servants. We confess to you Father that we do not always give you and your Church kingdom the highest priority in our lives. We allow the families you give us, the jobs you bless us with, personal pride and other things to take precedence over your worship and work. We ask Father for forgiveness and that you give us a renewed commitment and determination to follow you all the way and all the time. Bless us with your grace and presence Father and keep your good hand upon us as we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”