- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 17,518
12 August 2007
Part of a special week of studies focusing on serving God and following his call.
Matthew 4:19-20
Jesus said, "Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people." So Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.
The word "follow" appears no less than 415 times in the Bible in one form or another. That isn't surprising really, because whether we know it or not, we are all followers. I remember the first record (ancient form of playing music!) I ever bought. Some of the in-crowd were sarcastically saying how good it was, but I took them seriously and bought a copy, despite having never heard it myself.
We follow trends, we follow fashion, we follow leaders. But the challenge today is about following Jesus Christ, with all we have and all we are. The invitation is to give up the familiar, and set out on a journey into the unknown. But be warned - there is no turning back. Once you have experienced the thrill of being well outside of your comfort zone, well beyond your abilities and competencies, in that place where dependence on God is a requirement not merely an option - you will struggle to ever settle back into normal life or mere churchgoing.
God rescued me from a good, decent life and career, and has taken me to places (both geographically and metaphorically) I never thought I'd see or experience. Xplore will be the means of entry into that abundant life for some, but for most God wants to take you there just where you are! Are you ready for the faith adventure?
God, you are amazing. You know my fears and my weaknesses, yet you gently, persistently, unrelentingly draw me into this abundant, dangerous yet ultimately fulfilling life. Help me to respond like Simon and Andrew - wholeheartedly and immediately. Amen.
Written by Phil Clark, Programme Leader for Xplore - Church Army's new Global Gap Year programme.
Part of a special week of studies focusing on serving God and following his call.
Matthew 4:19-20
Jesus said, "Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people." So Simon and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed him.
The word "follow" appears no less than 415 times in the Bible in one form or another. That isn't surprising really, because whether we know it or not, we are all followers. I remember the first record (ancient form of playing music!) I ever bought. Some of the in-crowd were sarcastically saying how good it was, but I took them seriously and bought a copy, despite having never heard it myself.
We follow trends, we follow fashion, we follow leaders. But the challenge today is about following Jesus Christ, with all we have and all we are. The invitation is to give up the familiar, and set out on a journey into the unknown. But be warned - there is no turning back. Once you have experienced the thrill of being well outside of your comfort zone, well beyond your abilities and competencies, in that place where dependence on God is a requirement not merely an option - you will struggle to ever settle back into normal life or mere churchgoing.
God rescued me from a good, decent life and career, and has taken me to places (both geographically and metaphorically) I never thought I'd see or experience. Xplore will be the means of entry into that abundant life for some, but for most God wants to take you there just where you are! Are you ready for the faith adventure?
God, you are amazing. You know my fears and my weaknesses, yet you gently, persistently, unrelentingly draw me into this abundant, dangerous yet ultimately fulfilling life. Help me to respond like Simon and Andrew - wholeheartedly and immediately. Amen.
Written by Phil Clark, Programme Leader for Xplore - Church Army's new Global Gap Year programme.
