Will you still follow?

WILL YOU STILL FOLLOW

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.”

Matthew 4:18 – 22

King James Version

Sadhu Sundar Singh, an Indian Christian missionary, wrote the lyrics to a beautiful song that I love. It is one of my favorite songs. However, not only is it a beautiful song, it is also a song of challenge “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. Every time I hear these words, I purpose in my heart to serve Jesus no matter how many obstacles satan puts in my path.

Can you truly sing these words from your heart and mean them? “I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.” Every person who claims to be a Christian should have a burning desire in his or her heart to follow Jesus even in the midst of ridicule and criticism.

James and John immediately left the ship and their father and followed Jesus. They didn’t go home and pack anything. They answered the call of Jesus immediately. Do we answer the call of Jesus immediately? I think if we are honest with ourselves we will have to admit that we don’t always answer the call of Jesus immediately.

It is very sad but there are some Christians who endure ridicule and criticism from their own families when they decide to follow Jesus. Are you willing to serve Jesus no matter who criticizes and ridicules you? Will you still follow Jesus when obstacles are placed in your path? Jesus set the example for us when He was here on earth.

Nobody ever faced or ever will face as much criticism and ridicule as Jesus did when He was here on His missionary trip. Yet, He kept going in spite of all of the ridicule and criticism. How can you and I do less than follow Jesus in spite of obstacles, criticism and ridicule? Are you willing to leave your family, if necessary, and follow Jesus?

Joanne Lowe