The LORD has called me to leave behind some things in my life to pursue Him, including limiting my career by making choices to serve Him as a higher priority and leaving behind personal plans and desires in favor of what He wants. I did not get there in immediate fashion, though I wish I did. It took me time to transition and fully surrender.
On a simpler level, there are times when I feel the LORD has called me to do things that are more minor in nature such as helping someone on a particular day in an unexpected way. It is not always convenient. I admit, I am not always immediately wanting to do it, but I usually get to the right answer (not always). But Mark 1 it gives me reason to pause and reflect. I wish I responded as quickly as His disciples did when He called.
16As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. 17And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. 19Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20Immediately He called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went away to follow Him.
Give credit where credit is due. It is wonderful that these men left behind what He asked them to in order to follow Him fully, and they made big choices to leave behind their life as they knew it and pursue Him without delay. Reflect on that for awhile. What would that be like if He asked you to do that? It’s not easy for most of us.
Even in simple things, we have an opportunity to choose Him instead of ourselves. It may be laying down our short term plans to help someone else or honor Him in another way. It may not always be to leave our family and friends behind as we see in Mark 1. However, there are situations where we need to leave family and friends behind if He asks us to or if they are separating us from the right relationship with Him.
Prayerfully reflect and ask the Spirit to give you insight to your willingness to put Christ first, above your own desires and plans. Ask yourself what opportunities might there be recently or even upcoming where you should lay down your plans and pick up His plans, even if it is hard.
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please help me to be ready to lay down anything you ask me to and to be ready to follow and obey you without delay. Help me to hold You clearly in the prime position of importance in my life. Help me to encourage others to do likewise even when they may get pressure to not answer Your call by others who mean well and assume they know what is best or simply doubt that it is You who is calling someone to action. Amen.
Shalom
Devotion by John in service to Christ
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