Matthew 4:18-22
vs.19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said “and I will make you fishers of men.” vs.20 “at once they left their nets and followed him.”
Last Wednesday, our second night in New Zealand, this story came to my mind as I lay underneath the stars. Jesus called Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow him from the shore as they cast nets into the sea. They had only had one or two encounters with him, he did not promise them anything, they were probably comfortable in their 9-5 job, and really had no other reason to follow Christ except that they knew there had to be something more.
I wonder if they complained. If John, the youngest, cried as he left his father standing in the boat alone. I wonder if when the road seemed long and hard, if they ever thought about running away, back into the arms of their earthly fathers. I know the moments before I stepped on the plane at LAX every bone in my body was telling me to run home, to just hide from God’s calling.
However, over this last week He has given me a peace and understanding. I know that this road is not going to be easy. That at times, I will want to run away into the arms of my family, and find comfort in familiarity. I also know that when God calls you and you follow him; it leads you down a path that is not always easy but rewarding. I know that just like the four disciples he called from the shore, I will change and grow and love the Creator of the universe more then I have ever before
