Mark 1:20(KJV)
And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.
Serving in the vineyard of God is one of life’s greatest privileges. To be called by God and follow Him is to become a child of God. Jesus, by the Sea of Galilee, chose and drew 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, including their father Zebedee and followed Him. As faithful disciples of Jesus, we are to follow Him and be filled with unrestricted and single-minded zeal for God, living our lives sold out totally to Him. Mark 8:34, “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, soul, and mind, 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 choosing 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 one with Christ. However, many today are heading 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’s not pleasing 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. They forget Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” In following Jesus, the superstorm may rage, billows may toss high, and there may be problems, challenges, obstacles, and impediments, but we are to follow Jesus all the way. 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 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. Take a stand for God as you follow Jesus; your life will never remain the same. Remember, Jesus didn’t necessarily call the greatest, the smartest, the best-looking, the strongest, or the richest. He called the willing.
O Lord, I ask for the grace to follow You consistently and serve You dedicatedly in Jesus’ Name.