As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Mark 1:16-18 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, the image painted by these words of Mark of Your encounter with Simon and Andrew is vivid to my heart this morning. There they were, engaged in something that they had done their entire life, had built their reputation on, trained for years to perfect. And seeing them, You beckon them to come and present to them a proposition that in my mind’s eye this morning is not even very clear, an analogy that played on their life’s work but focused on something different. What do You mean fishers of men? I understand it now having the privilege of hindsight and Scripture illumination. But how could they? What is striking is they were compelled by something about You and how You said it to give up their life’s work, what they had defined themselves by, leave their families, as depicted by James and John, and follow You. That is what You define as commitment to You and discipleship (Matthew 16:24).
Today, I ask myself what things in my life, relationships, reputational baggage, accolades, certifications, recognition – the list goes on and on – that I have attached to myself and my identity that I am not willing to give up for You? Yes, the easy answer is to blurt out what Simon said, “I have left everything to follow You (Mark 10:28).” And maybe on the surface I have. But this morning my heart feels the tug to examine my life and to embrace the ideal that this is a daily journey, not one set in time. But instead one that is a continual reminder that I must put You first in all things. I must “at once” leave everything behind.
Lord, over the course of this day grant me eyes to see the hold that the things of this world have on my heart. Shine Your light on what has taken primacy in my life and has subtly squeezed You out, especially those things that appear on the surface to be true and noble like my service to others, my church, or my community, but because I am so consumed in the doing I miss seeing You in it and it becomes nothing more than works righteousness. In all I do it is my chief aim to follow You. Help me to perform an inventory on my doing that in my doing I might be drawn closer to You. For You are my heart’s desire. Amen.