Come, Follow Me
You may have heard the saying “Don’t just talk the talk — walk the walk!” Many put on their game faces when it comes to talking a good talk about how much they love God and even promise to live their lives as one of Christ’s followers. But when they’re face to face with intimidation with someone who isn’t a follower or they’re faced with a debilitating problem of some kind, they go rogue. They find it hard to keep in step with Jesus and the way He walked out His own faith as a man of flesh on this earth.
I’ll admit it. Once, I lacked self-confidence. I had big faith, but little output. The fear of rejection held me back. I’d invite friends to church with me, but I’d leave the Jesus-talk to the minister. I knew the “Good News” of Jesus, but I was a coward to share it. I overcame those fears when I got me out of my “first place” priority and moved God up to “numero uno”. That helped me understand my place in God’s family. I began to view others with an eternal perspective which enabled me to be a leader who I hoped others would follow me right on into eternity with me!
Now, I’m quite in-your-face when it comes to my blogging. I know it. My point isn’t to get more followers for me. I desire more followers of Jesus. I make no apologies. I try to be His billboard. I found out where the living water is and how could I be selfish with it – with Him? I am not the source of it, Jesus is. Follow Him.
I found my platform and I share out of the abundance of the life-giving water He gives me every day. I lean on the well and even hang out at the well. I try not to wander too far off from it. I know my track record and I don’t like the feeling of being so thirsty, lacking hope and joy, when I meander away from the well. I will tell you a secret. I don’t know all of my 4,111 friends on my Facebook page. And not all of them even know me. I pray they are following me because they met Jesus, face to face in something I blogged about. I am thankful for that because it is the reason I began blogging in the first place.
It is worthless to rant and rave about things that don’t matter in the light of eternity. It is worthwhile to spread the Good News that has a pay-off of eternal proportions. Back to “The Chosen” series. One of my favorite scenes was when Jesus looked at Peter and said: “Come, follow me and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matthew 4:19) I’m on board that boat. We are meant to catch them and teach them to follow Him.
Jesus’ disciples desired His wisdom, insight, and direction. They went where Jesus took them and when He told them to go. They trusted Him enough to submit to His discipline. They didn’t always understand Him. They messed up. They learned. They grew. They walked and talked with Him. And, THEN, they preached the gospel after His ascension. They took Him out to the world. They did their job well. Just look at us. Now, we follow Him, too!
Perhaps it’s time to consider our commitment to Christ. Jesus is looking for disciples who will follow Him and make Him the most important part of their lives so that He is in control of every part. It’s not always easy. We could say it’s real discipline at times – but it’s also the adventure of our lifetime.
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” — The Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1)