A Lifetime Commitment

A Lifetime Commitment

Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” And they left their nets at once and followed him. (Mark 1:17-18)

Abram, a business man in Ur of the Chaldees, the son of a father who worshipped idols, heard a voice from heaven telling him to uproot his family and move south to a land that only God knew about. And because Abram had just enough faith to obey this crazy wild call, he found eternal treasure and changed the course of human history.

   Then we find a man named Moses, out on the backside of nowhere, tracking along after a flock of smelly sheep, just killing time, when out of the corner of his eye, he sees a flaming bush that was burning but wasn’t burning up. He steps aside to check it out. And his life—and the world—are changed forever.

   History is filled with men and women who heard God’s call and dared to give up their earthly ambitions to pursue eternal treasures. Where would the world be without the likes of Hudson Taylor, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards, Dwight L. Moody, Billy Graham, and others. Countless saints and ordinary people like you and me who hitch their wagons (and lives) to God’s star and attempt outlandish, impossible tasks.

   Wasn’t this what happened to the disciples who were ordinary fishermen? Jesus gave a simple summons—only four words, “Come be my disciples!” Come, leave your families, livelihood (boat and nets), your favorite work to do what? Follow a lowly carpenter-turned-preacher/teacher? But what about…what if…what if?

   What about you? Christ is still looking for disciples who are willing to leave all and follow Him. And, more amazingly, his invitation to still to average—dare I say “flawed” folks who have the faith to join his cause. His only promise—“I will make you fishers of people!”  When we pursue Jesus, our lives will take on a new and different urgency, and go in new directions. Our gifts and abilities are suddenly focused on kingdom building and opportunities.

   Where does his call find you today in God’s overall plan for the kingdom?

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me an urgency to follow your plan for me in your kingdom.