And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 (NAU)
Missy wandered aimlessly across the store. Her mother couldn’t enjoy her shopping for having to look for the child. Finally, her mother firmly instructed Missy to hold her hand and stay close. It worked well until Mother stopped to look at a dress. It didn’t take long for Missy to get bored. As she looked around, she thought her mother moved so Missy started walking too, still distracted by the commotion around her. After walking for several minutes, the child remembered that momma had said, “Stay close to me and don’t let go of my hand.” Missy saw her mother’s hand just ahead so she inched up close to her and took her by the hand. And then her mother stopped again. A strange voice said, “Hello. Who are you?” When Missy looked up to see who was talking, she saw that a strange woman held her hand. It wasn’t her mother at all.
Like children who won’t hold the parent’s hand, our lives have no point of direction without someone to follow. Jesus said, “Come follow me . . .” And our lives take on new meaning and focus as we follow his will and purpose. When we follow Jesus, it is easy to determine our next step and what our goals are. But when we let go of his hand and are distracted by the cares of this life, we lose our way and take hold of the wrong hand. Worse, we put our selves in danger.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for Jesus and the sacrifice of Calvary. Empower us to truly follow him and never stop following him. Grant to us an attentive focus that allows us to clearly learn as his disciples. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his instructions and live in obedience,