Follow Me

I have been studying the call of Abraham. How God spoke to him and made an unbelievable promise. That this older, childless man living amongst idols would be the father of many in a righteous nation.
God spoke to Abraham, or Abram, (as he was called at that time). He called him out of Haran and what did Abraham do? Did he stop to crunch numbers, or decide if it was in his best interest to move?
No, he heeded God's call and left.
We can also see the fisherman who were called, followed without hesitation
Matthew 4:20
At once they left their nets and followed him.
It was immediate and complete.
In the same way God spoke to Abraham, he is tenderly speaking to us now. He says follow me and I promise you eternity. He asks nothing in return, just our humble following.
There in lies the rub though....
In order to follow him, we must deny ourselves.
Luke 9:23
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 
 We must let loose the control we desire of our own lives and instead heed his call. Like Abraham who packed all and left everything he knew, we must leave and cleave to the savior.
 This is a daily battle. Our flesh is at war with God's law. Even though now we have the Holy Spirit at work within us our sin nature is alive and well, fighting for control.
Not to mention the world is at war with God. Each day the battle begins anew with the world telling us "Do your own thing" and "The most important thing is that you are happy".
These carefully crafted lies, are just that.... LIES
1st John 2:17 
 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.
 True happiness does not come from anything found here on earth. It comes from a complete trust and contentment in our savior. It comes from yielding complete control over to him.
Does this mean life will be easy and full of roses?
 John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Our life might be full of many troubles and trials but, we heed that call and know God always keeps his promises. In the light of eternity those problems and troubles will grow dim. 
The bright light of God's glory will eclipse all that we experienced in this world. 
It will seem like such a  small thing to deny ourselves and follow him because we will reap eternity with God. 
I am longing for that day.... being reunited with my son and falling at my savior's feet to worship. 
We can, like Abraham follow that call and some day, just like he said he would GOD will return and we will be swept up with him. 

1 comment:

Lindsay Anne Shields said...

Very nicely put mel, thank you for posting this message from Christ.