Matthew 4:22 (KJV)
And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.
One of the greatest privileges on earth is being called by God and serving in His vineyard. To be called by God and to follow Him is to become a child and servant of God. Jesus, by the Sea of Galilee, chose and summoned men to be a part of His inner circle. Jesus wasn’t looking for qualified men when He chose His disciples, but He was looking for men He could equip. Calling the brothers (James and John), they left everything behind and followed Him. As faithful disciples of Jesus, we must wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to Jesus without hesitation or distraction, with unwavering passion and commitment. Mark 8:34 says, “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” In other words, anyone who will follow Jesus Christ must deny himself by refusing to satisfy personal interests or desires that conflict with God’s commandments or ways of His Kingdom. When we love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, we naturally develop great passion and zeal for anything that concerns Him.
It is important to note that dedication is critical to becoming great in life. One implication of following God is to take a stand for Him. As children of God, the will of God deserves priority above all other interests in our lives, and His commandments should be our yardstick for measuring right or wrong. Following His lead and staying so close, we can appear with Christ. However, we live in a generation where many run in the wrong direction. Many have forgotten that our depth of dedication to God determines how far we go in life. They cannot follow Jesus because they are addicted to convenience and tolerate what is unpleasant to God and His Kingdom. Many Christians today will put everything first before God; they PUT first their jobs, husbands, wives, children, parents, friends, parties, weddings, funerals, shopping, and all manner of unnecessary things before God. But the brothers immediately left their nets and followed Jesus. In following Jesus, the tempest may rage, billows may toss high, and there may be problems, challenges, obstacles, and impediments, but follow Jesus. The Bible says in Mark 10:28-30, “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s. But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
Beloved, your fellowship determines the outcome you experience in life. You cannot follow the footsteps of Jesus and end up as a loser. If you are not lacking in service, God shall not be short in blessing you, for the best of God only answers to the best of man. You can’t put God first and be last in life. God has not called you to mock you, but He has called you to make and color you. It is impossible to work for God, and people do not see you as a blessed personality. So, make up your mind to move and act on behalf of God when others are indifferent and lukewarm to Him and His cause. Today, when you hear Jesus calling, do as Simon, Andrew, James, and John did: leave everything behind and follow Jesus. Whatever is contrary to the calling of God in your life is cursed to its roots in Jesus’ Name. In following Jesus, many will discourage you, but be determined to pursue your calling. Remember, as a Christian, stand for God as you follow Jesus, and your life will never be the same.
O Lord, I ask for the grace to follow You consistently and serve You dedicatedly in Jesus’ Name.