Come, Follow, Learn

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will show you how to fish for people.”

Matthew 4:19

When Jesus says COME it is likely that we want to do just that, except that in order to “come” we are going to have to “leave” the comfort of where we are… where there is security and predictability. I’m not talking a grand scale of leaving the comfort of America to be a missionary in a place where cannibalism is common practice and running water means darting about dodging poisonous vipers with a jug of muddy water on your head that you just walked 5 miles to collect. Let’s bring it in a little closer to home…

Come…

When Jesus says COME to us, he is inviting us into a relationship with him. That relationship we build with Him spills over into our relationships at home and at work. Everywhere! It involves leaving the comfort of self-care and crossing over to care about, or for, another.

…Follow

Here is some good news! When Jesus calls us to come, He is inviting us into an unknown, to be sure, however, we will have the perfect guide. Dependable, trustworthy, knowledgeable, kind, wise and owning all the resources that we may need on our journey. We don’t really have to fear leaving the unsatisfactory life we have grown accustomed to because we will be following on the heels of the Master who has all we need to find success, joy, peace, and abiding love.

I will show you…

When Jesus told the fishermen He would show them how to fish for men, He was merely taking something they knew about and translating it into a way to build relationships with people that would change them for the better, forever. We don’t truly change because we are good at following rules. Lasting transformation comes from investing in others… in relationships. He wants to show us how to grow in our relationships with others. Particularly at home. And He will use what we have, our skills and talents and passions and show us how to love better than we ever have.

If you have made the decision to leave your comfort zone and come to Jesus, then it is time to follow Him. You can’t just stay where you are. Following Him means that you are moving.  And as you move with Him, allow Him to take what you have … your talents, your strengths, your passion… and begin to fashion them in such a way that your relationships will grow and flourish and transform the people you love.

If you are looking for change in your relationships, don’t look at the other people. Look at yourself. Are you stuck? Have you refused the invitation to walk away from the old life and come to Jesus?  Are you following Him? Or have you determined your own path?  Have you given Him all that you are in order for Him to build you up into what others need to see, the image of Jesus and His love?

His request is timeless. Will you come, follow and allow Him to show you how to love? That’s what the world needs… what our neighborhoods need… what our homes need … more than anything…And we can’t do it without leaving where we are, coming to Jesus and following Him so that He can show us the way.