When Jesus called His first disciples to follow Him (Matt 4:18-22), it was not merely a call to do great, eye-opening works (Matt 4:23). Neither was it merely an invitation to secure the honoured positions of being the followers of one, who eventually became the most famous person in Israel (c.f. Matt 4:24-25).
I am reminded today, that the call was first and foremost a call to an uncompromising life - of living by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4), seeing God's tests in light of His mercy and grace (rather than putting God to the test as the Israelites did back in the wilderness, even after having tasted manna - c.f. Matt 4:7) and wholehearted God-worship, even unto death (Matt 4:10). Until we make these our highest priorities and the unflinching foundation for every Kingdom work we take up, we gravitate toward self-serving goals and shortchange ourselves of its true, unsurpassed reward.
Jesus invites us to a lonely kind of life that kills us in many ways - and yet, He has shown us that such is the only kind of life that promises power and hope. A hope beyond death.
This, my friends, is my contemplation as I resume my work in the ministry today.
2 comments:
it's time to add your baby into your blog Headline cover :)
Oh how I often need to be reminded of this, sis... you are precious!!
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